US top commander warns Pentagon lacks forces to defend Israel against Iran

Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the top U.S. general in Europe, has warned the Pentagon he lacks sufficient naval forces to defend Israel from Iranian ballistic missiles. The ongoing conflict with Iran has strained the U.S. Navy, which has five destroyers assigned to the mission, forcing a potential choice between protecting Israel or the U.S. homeland. The war, which has killed 18 U.S. service members, is domestically unpopular and faces growing opposition.

Mediterranean destroyer deployment

• ▪Israel has reportedly raised its alert level over concerns that Iran could launch ballistic missile attacks
• ▪As of July 31, 2026, two destroyers were in the Mediterranean Sea while three others were at port in Spain
• ▪Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, head of U.S. European Command, privately warned the Pentagon he lacks sufficient naval forces to protect Israel from ballistic missiles
• ▪The U.S. currently has five destroyers based in Spain to deploy to the eastern Mediterranean to help defend Israel, with a sixth expected later in the year
• ▪Without another Navy destroyer, Gen. Grynkewich stated he would have to choose between defending the U.S. homeland and defending Israel

Naval blockade resource strain

• ▪The U.S. has deployed assets including aircraft carriers and at least 11 destroyers to assist the blockade and protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz
• ▪The U.S. reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian ports after a ceasefire with Iran collapsed in early July
• ▪A May Defense Department assessment found the U.S. used more of its advanced missile-defense interceptors defending Israel than Israeli forces had
• ▪The ongoing conflict with Iran has strained U.S. military assets, leading to competition for limited resources among commanders

Domestic opposition to Iran war

• ▪In mid-July, nearly half of House Democrats voted in favor of a failed measure to eliminate billions of dollars of aid to Israel
• ▪At least 18 U.S. service members have been killed during the conflict with Iran
• ▪The war with Iran is largely unpopular in the U.S. and is driving up prices for Americans due to transportation issues in the Strait of Hormuz