KABUL: International media reports say John Fеlеn, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, has been dismissed by Pete Hegseth, the country’s Secretary of Defense.
Reuters reported early today, citing a U.S. official and a person familiar with the matter, that the move is being viewed as another wartime-era reshuffle in the Iran–U.S. context.
In a brief statement released without providing details, the U.S. Pentagon (the Department of Defense) said that Felen is leaving the role with immediate effect.
However, sources who spoke to Reuters and asked not to be identified said the Navy secretary was removed following disagreements involving Hegseth, as well as Steven Feinberg, his deputy, and Hang Kao, the Deputy Civilian of the Navy.
The Pentagon said that after Felen’s departure, Hang Kao, the Navy’s Deputy Civilian, will serve as acting secretary.
According to information shared, Felen is among the business figures close to Donald Trump, the U.S. president, and is the first career defense official in the military department to be removed in the new administration.
Felen’s dismissal has been interpreted as part of a broader pattern of changes and instability across different levels of the Pentagon, occurring under Hegseth’s management in recent weeks.