Top US general warns he can no longer protect Israel against Iranian ballistic missiles

A top U.S. general has reportedly warned the Pentagon that he does not have sufficient naval forces to protect Israel from incoming ballistic missiles, according to a new report.

The Washington Post reported on Saturday that Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the head of U.S. European Command, sent a written warning to leaders at the Pentagon saying that “without another Navy destroyer, he will be forced to choose defense of the United States ‘homeland’ over that of Israel,” according to officials speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The general is requesting another Navy destroyer ship, and that, without it, he will be forced to choose defense of the United States “homeland” over that of Israel, according to the report.

A U.S. defense official told The Post the warning is consistent with a common practice in which senior commanders alert the Pentagon when resource shortages create operational risks.

The U.S. Navy has faced mounting pressure as the Trump administration ordered a blockade of Iranian ports following Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

In the eastern Mediterranean, U.S. destroyers have long helped defend Israel with advanced radar and missile systems to intercept projectiles launched by Iran and Houthis in Yemen. The Mediterranean operations are overseen by the European Command.

The U.S. Navy operates five destroyers from Rota, Spain, with a sixth expected later this year, though officials have said the U.S. war on Iran has reduced ship availability.

Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that a major reason President Donald Trump decided to pause attacks on Iran was the concern for significant depletion of U.S. air defense supplies in the Middle East.

According to the report, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that while expanding strikes against Iran was operationally feasible, it could significantly deplete the supply of interceptors available to U.S. Central Command.

In May, The Post reported that the U.S. has fired some 300 interceptors to help defend Israel against Iranian ballistic missiles during the war with Iran. In comparison, Israel launched about 190 to defend itself.