‘Loss of confidence’: US Navy fires commanders of warships deployed against Iran

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‘Loss of confidence’: US Navy fires commanders of warships deployed against Iran Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 11/14/2026 - 13:41 Removals include the commander of a destroyer…

The US Navy has fired several top officers without its customary public announcements, drawing criticism from lawmakers amid heightened security concerns at American military installations and tensions with Iran.

Those removed include the leadership team of the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS South Dakota. Its commander, second-in-command and senior enlisted sailor were relieved of their duties in October after the submarine reportedly struck something on the seabed.

The Navy also sacked Commander Caitlin Cunningham from her position leading the USS Michael Murphy destroyer on 27 September, citing a “loss of confidence”, according to a defence official.

Admiral Brian Monahan, who served as attending physician to Congress and the Supreme Court for nearly 18 years, is also reported to have left his post amid an investigation.

Democratic Representatives Joe Courtney and Adam Smith said the Navy had failed to notify the House Armed Services Committee.

In a letter to acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao and the service’s top uniformed officer, Admiral Daryl Caudle, they expressed “deep frustration” over the lack of communication.

“As a result of the Navy’s failure to communicate, what should have been a standard exercise in information sharing has instead raised questions about the Navy’s commitment to transparency and its commitment to a productive working relationship with Congress,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lack of public disclosure has also renewed scrutiny of the US military’s handling of information about the war on Iran.

The Associated Press has reported that restrictions on satellite imagery and limited official statements delayed public understanding of damage to 26 US military bases and other sites in the region following Iranian strikes.

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