Key facts
- Senior U.S. military leaders have warned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that continuing large-scale operations against Iran is unsustainable.
- Concerns were detailed in a classified Secretary of Defense Orders Book (SDOB) report.
- Several commanders formally disagreed with orders extending forces for the Iran campaign, citing strain on resources.
- The Navy's readiness is impacted, with only about 25% of its destroyers available for deployment.
- The operations have required over 50,000 U.S. troops to remain on alert in the Middle East for months.
Senior U.S. military leaders have privately warned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that the ongoing large-scale operations against Iran are unsustainable and are straining American military resources. The concerns were detailed in a classified report, the Secretary of Defense Orders Book (SDOB), dated August 14.
According to reports citing individuals familiar with the document, commanders from U.S. European Command, U.S. Pacific Command, and U.S. Southern Command, along with the Navy's top admiral, formally recorded their disagreement with orders extending forces for the Iran campaign. While Army and Air Force leaders concurred with the extensions, they also cautioned Hegseth about the significant strategic risks involved.
The campaign, which has been ongoing for approximately six months, has required a substantial commitment of naval vessels, aircraft, personnel, and air-defense systems, with over 50,000 U.S. troops remaining on alert in the region. Some force deployments are extended through September, with others slated to continue into 2027.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle reportedly informed Hegseth that the Navy cannot sustain its current level of support indefinitely, noting that only about a quarter of the Navy's destroyers are currently ready to deploy. The assessment suggests that continued operations could impact ship maintenance and reduce overall fleet availability for other potential conflicts.
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, also opposed the ongoing requirement to deploy a carrier strike group and destroyers to the Middle East. The report indicates that the U.S. has drawn on its stocks of Patriot and THAAD interceptors, as well as Tomahawk missiles, for the campaign.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that decisions regarding the scope and duration of U.S. force commitments are based on current threat assessments, presidential strategic priorities, and advice from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.