US General Warns Pentagon of Possible Choice Between Defending US or Israel Without More Naval Support

General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of the US European Command, has warned senior Pentagon officials that without deploying an additional destroyer to the Middle East, the US military may face a situation where it must choose between defending the United States and assisting Israel against ballistic missile attacks. This warning was conveyed in a letter to Pentagon leaders, emphasizing that without reinforcements, continued protection of Israel from missile strikes would be unsustainable.

A US defense source explained that this message reflects competition among military commanders over limited resources. The US Navy currently operates to enforce sanctions on Iran and has intercepted missiles fired at Israel by Iran, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and other Iranian proxies. The report comes amid concerns about renewed conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran following the collapse of a ceasefire, alongside reports that the US missile interceptor stockpile in the Middle East has significantly diminished during recent months of fighting.

Currently, five US Navy destroyers are deployed in the region, occasionally docking at the US base in Rota, Spain. A sixth destroyer is expected to join by the end of 2026. However, Pentagon officials have noted that maintenance challenges caused by ongoing confrontations with Iran complicate efforts to reinforce naval forces in the area.