After the US Chief of Staff . The Secretary of the Navy, the second victim in the Pentagon

The Pentagon announced the departure of Navy Secretary John Phelan with immediate effect, ending a career that lasted less than two years and leaving open questions about the future of the U.S. military leadership in the midst of the most violent naval confrontation with Iran in decades.

Behind the scenes of the dismissal

Sources familiar with the matter told CNN  that the crisis was triggered by what Secretary of War Pete Higgseth described as "overstepping the chain of command," and his displeasurestemmed from Phelan's direct outreach to President Donald Trump, bypassing the Pentagon's traditional structure, creating a state of mistrust within the narrow circle of decision-making.

In a scene that reflects the intensity of the tension, NBC News reported that Phelan may have learned of his firing decision via the X platform, while other sources confirm that Hegseth informed him of the decision minutes before the official announcement to ensure a "silent exit."

The Clash of Agendas: The Slowing "Golden Fleet"

There is a technical and strategic gap between Phelan and Vice Secretary of War Steven Feinberg, with Phelan accused of being slow to implement fleet modernization plans to counter Chinese industrial supremacy, with the Pentagon arguing that the "Golden Fleet" strategy to build 18 new warships requires more assertive and faster leadership.

Reuters reports that there are internal investigations related to ethics and administrative issues within the sacked minister's office, which may have been used as a "mercy bullet" to terminate his duties.

Political loyalty is above competence?

Pheiseth's firing comes as part of a long series of Hegseth-led changes, beginning with the ouster of Army Chief of Staff Randy George, as Hegsey moves along a path aimed at purging the establishment of what he calls "diversity policies," targeting military leaders appointed in earlier eras.

Analysts at The Atlantic magazine argue that the current changes are aimed at turning the military into a tool that is fully aligned with the White House's political agenda, preferring "absolute loyalty" to "field experience," which explains the appointment of Hong Cao (a veteran and close to Higseth) as acting minister.

Regional repercussions

In the international context, any shake at the top of the American pyramid is read very carefully in Tehran. Experts believe that this change may carry two contradictory connotations: that the administration suffers from conflicting visions on how to manage the naval blockade and second, that Phelan's replacement of Phelan with a more hawkish leadership signals Washington's transition from "restraint" to "all-out attack" to impose its conditions on Iran by tightening the naval noose and expanding the scope of engagements.