According to BlockBeats, on August 1, the Washington Post reported that several officials said that U.S. European Command Commander Alexus Grynkewich privately warned the Pentagon this week that it lacks sufficient naval power to continue protecting Israel from ballistic missile attacks, highlighting the resource pressures on the U.S. military caused by the ongoing war with Iran.
The commander stated that if he could not acquire another naval destroyer, he would be forced to choose between defending the U.S. "homeland" and defending Israel. A U.S. defense official said Grynkewich's warning was consistent with previous briefings from senior U.S. military officials to the Pentagon when they perceived risks requiring U.S.-level consideration. The official stated that such situations could occur when theater commanders compete for limited resources and weapons.