The top general overseeing U.S. forces in Europe reportedly warned the Pentagon this week that he does not have enough resources to continue protecting Israel from incoming ballistic missiles.
Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the commander of the U.S. European Command, wrote to senior military officials at the Pentagon that unless another Navy destroyer is deployed, he would have to choose between defending the homeland over Israel, the Washington Post reported Saturday.
The U.S. currently has five destroyers based out of port in Spain to deploy to the eastern Mediterranean Sea to help defend Israel. A sixth vessel is expected to be added later this year, the Washington Post reported.
But five months into President Donald Trump’s war with Iran, the ongoing fighting has taken a toll on the military assets, requiring more maintenance for the destroyers in addition to utilizing missiles.
The Independent has asked the Pentagon for comment.
Since the collapse of a U.S.-Iran ceasefire in early July, the U.S. has reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian ports, further straining the capacity of the Navy.
Several vessels, including aircraft carriers and at least 11 destroyers, have been deployed closer to Iran to assist in the blockade and also ensure the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
The destroyers used in the Mediterranean Sea to defend Israel have been deployed to do so for several years. The vessels are armed with an array of missiles and radar systems to track and take down incoming threats – both from Iran and from the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.
As of Friday, two destroyers were in the Mediterranean Sea while three others were at the port in Spain, a U.S. official told the Washington Post.
The on-and-off-again fighting between the U.S. and adversaries has taken a toll on the U.S. military for months.
In May, the Washington Post reported that a Defense Department assessment found that the U.S. depleted more of its military’s advanced missile-defense interceptors while defending Israel than Israeli forces had.
Not only have military assets dwindled, but at least 18 service members have been killed, igniting domestic ire about the president’s war with Iran.
The war is largely unpopular and becoming more disliked, even by members of Trump’s MAGA movement, as it drives everyday prices up for Americans because of transportation issues in the Strait of Hormuz.
Even members of Congress have seemingly grown weary of the U.S. exuding its resources for the Iran war – and particularly toward Israel.
In mid-July, nearly half of House Democrats voted in favor of eliminating billions of dollars of aid to Israel. Although the measure ultimately failed, the number of Democrats indicates lawmakers are less enthusiastic about supporting a longtime U.S. ally.
