US military official: War against Iran drained our budget / CENTCOM commander acknowledges Tehran’s power

Pars Today – The head of U.S. Navy operations said that the war against Iran has exhausted the Navy’s budget, warning that if additional funding is not approved, the U.S. Navy will be forced to make difficult decisions starting in July.

According to Pars Today, citing IRNA, Admiral Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations of the United States Navy, told lawmakers in a session that the force urgently needs additional funding within two months to avoid disruptions in training, certification, and other personnel-related activities.

He added that the budget shortfall is linked to the war in West Asia, and without a supplemental funding request—which the Trump administration has not yet submitted—the Navy will have to reduce the scale of its operations by July.

According to Caudle, costs for fuel, operating hours, maintenance, and ammunition are rising rapidly, and without additional funding approval, the U.S. Navy will be forced to make difficult decisions.

CENTCOM commander: Iran still possesses significant power

The commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, acknowledged that despite American and Israeli attacks against Iran, Tehran still retains significant influence and power.

According to Pars Today, citing IRNA, the senior U.S. military official stated that Iran continues to maintain considerable capabilities and can still affect maritime navigation routes, without addressing the root causes of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.