Bangkok [Thailand], April 23 (ANI): The Iranian Embassy in Thailand launched another public barb at Donald Trump after the sudden exit of US Navy Secretary John C. Phelan. In a post on X, the mission noted Phelan’s departure and quipped, “Regiment change continues.”
The message continues a pattern of provocative commentary from the embassy aimed at the Biden administration’s successor, following a previous satirical post mocking the White House after US Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned. On that occasion, the mission suggested “regime change” appeared to be occurring within the United States rather than abroad.
The embassy’s remarks come amid notable turmoil inside the US defence establishment. The Pentagon confirmed the immediate resignation of Navy Secretary John Phelan, marking the first service secretary to leave during Trump’s second term. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced on Wednesday that Phelan was “departing the administration, effective immediately,” thanking him for his service but providing no formal explanation for the abrupt exit.
Phelan’s departure appears to be part of a broader, aggressive reshuffle at the Pentagon overseen by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who has coordinated the removal of several senior military leaders. Among those previously ousted are Army chief Gen. Randy George and other senior admirals and generals, following earlier exits by Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr., reflecting an extensive overhaul of military leadership since early 2025.
The vacancy atop the Navy is significant at a time when US maritime forces remain heavily engaged in operations around Iran, including a naval blockade of Iranian ports. Despite a fragile ceasefire, American forces have continued to target vessels linked to Tehran and maintained a strong presence in key maritime corridors such as the Strait of Hormuz. Recent strikes on commercial shipping have heightened tensions and strained the truce.
Washington has extended the cessation of hostilities yet kept the naval blockade in place — a move Tehran calls a violation of the agreement — and Iran has so far declined further diplomatic talks.
The defence-sector turnover coincides with changes in the civilian cabinet after Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned on Monday. White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung confirmed her departure on X, saying she “will be leaving the Administration to take a position in the private sector.” Her deputy, Keith Sonderling, will serve as acting secretary.
Chavez-DeRemer, who joined the department in March 2025 after two years in the US House of Representatives, departed amid allegations of misconduct involving senior staff and personal indiscretions, according to reports from Politico. Allegations include an affair with a member of her security detail, unprofessional conduct during work hours, and claims that aides altered official schedules to facilitate personal travel. She is expected to move into a private-sector role. (ANI)
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