A source familiar with the matter said that the Navy Secretary, John Phelan, was fired on Wednesday. This is another shakeup in the Pentagon, just weeks after Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth removed the Army's highest ranking general.

In a press release, the Pentagon stated that Phelan "will leave the administration with immediate effect," without giving any further details. The first news outlet to report Phelan's firing was Reuters.

Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesperson, said: "On behalf the Secretary of?War and the Deputy Secretary?of War we thank Secretary Phelan for the service he has provided to the Department and the United States Navy." "We wish him success in his future endeavors."

Hung Cao, the Navy's second-ranked civilian (Undersecretary), will take over as acting secretary. Hung Cao will become acting secretary.

Hegseth dismissed Randy George, the U.S. Army chief of staff on April 2 without giving a reason. Two U.S. official said that the decision was linked to tensions between Hegseth, and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.

The firings in April are part of a recent reorganization of all levels of leadership within the Pentagon. This includes the firing of Air Force General C.Q., the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brown as well as the chief of naval operations, and vice chief of air force staff.

The latest departure occurs during a tense truce with Iran as the U.S. sends?more naval resources into the Middle East.

The U.S. Military is relying heavily on its naval assets to conduct a?blockade? of Iran. President Donald 'Trump hopes that this will force Tehran to negotiate a peaceful end to the war on his terms. (Reporting and editing by Michelle Nichols, Bill Berkrot and Jasper Ward)

(source: Reuters)