The Trump administration has fired John C Phelan, the Secretary of the Navy, sending shockwaves through a Pentagon stretched by escalating Middle East conflict. The sudden exit is widely linked to internal tensions, including reported clashes with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Observers say the shakeup could reshape how the administration manages the Iran war response and the Persian Gulf naval blockade.
President Donald Trump has directed the US Navy to use lethal force against any vessels it believes are mining the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a tougher approach as tensions rise in the Gulf. The move follows the recent capture of two ships by Iranian forces, heightening fears of wider maritime disruption in a key global shipping corridor.
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China released a video that appears to tease a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, alongside plans to expand and strengthen island infrastructure. Officials say the moves are intended to boost naval strength and reinforce territorial claims as regional tensions rise. The backdrop includes ongoing multi-nation military drills, underscoring intensifying strategic competition.
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