In a dramatic shake-up at the Pentagon, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth abruptly removed Navy Secretary John C. Phelan from his post without explanation, signaling deep turmoil within U.S. defence leadership amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. The sudden departure of Phelan - who served as the civilian head of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps — came as U.S. forces enforce a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and tensions with Tehran remain high, leaving analysts questioning Washington’s strategic coherence.