Navy Secretary John Phelan Fired Amid Shipbuilding Disputes

Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired Wednesday after months of fighting with Pentagon leaders over how to fix the Navy's troubled shipbuilding program, sources told CNN and the New York Times.

The Pentagon announced Phelan would leave "effective immediately" in a brief social media post. No explanation was given for the sudden departure during an active naval blockade of Iran.

Undersecretary Hung Cao immediately replaced Phelan as acting Navy Secretary. The timing raises questions about military leadership stability during ongoing tensions with Iran.

Phelan is the latest high-ranking military official to leave the administration in recent months. The Navy has struggled with delays and cost overruns in building new ships, a critical issue as the U.S. faces growing threats from China and Iran.

The sudden leadership change comes as the Navy manages complex operations in the Middle East, highlighting concerns about continuity during military crises.