Top U.S. military generals have privately warned Secretary Pete Hegseth that sustained war operations against Iran are jeopardizing the Pentagon's capacity to address domestic threats. Commanders responsible for U.S. forces in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, along with the Navy's top admiral, formally dissented from Hegseth's proposal to maintain over 50,000 troops in the Middle East on alert status, according to reports.
This dissent comes as U.S. military assets, including ships and aircraft, have been redirected from global deployments to support the conflict in the Middle East. This reallocation has limited operational missions and disrupted military training across three continents. While Army and Air Force leaders supported the extended deployments, they acknowledged the significant risks involved as the Pentagon faces challenges meeting wartime demands.
The Navy has been particularly strained during the ongoing conflict. The USS Abraham Lincoln, for instance, has been deployed for more than nine months, spending a record 250 consecutive days at sea. Reports indicate that shortages of food and hygiene supplies, alongside issues like broken toilets and moldy showers, have contributed to a mental health crisis among sailors, with some reportedly attempting to harm themselves.
Military leaders expressed concerns that the six-month-long war in Iran is "too much for too long," warning that the situation has become "more dire" due to the conflict's uncertain trajectory. These classified concerns highlight a division between military leadership and current war strategy.
In parallel with these internal military concerns, U.S. forces resumed strikes against Iran over the weekend. On Sunday, U.S. forces targeted two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island, stating that Revolutionary Guard troops were preparing to deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by launching ballistic missiles toward two U.S. military bases in Jordan, though these were reportedly intercepted before causing any damage.
Following the attacks, President Trump posted an AI-generated video on Truth Social purportedly showing the Iranian energy hub of Kharg Island being bombed, claiming it was "blown to smithereens." However, there was no independent evidence to support an attack on the energy hub, and Iranian officials dismissed the claim as "laughable."
The recent escalation in tensions and military actions involving Iran have impacted global oil prices. Brent crude futures rose 2.7 percent to $90.51 per barrel following the U.S. strikes on Larak Island. U.S. officials have stated that the campaign, in conjunction with Israeli strikes, has significantly degraded Iran's naval and air force capabilities, with Iranian officials reporting substantial economic damages. However, Iran has maintained leverage through its own actions in the Strait of Hormuz, impacting the passage of oil and liquefied natural gas tankers. The waterway is crucial, with approximately 20 percent of the world's oil typically flowing through it.