India, April 23 -- The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his job, only hours after it was reported that the 62-year-old was fired. While the Trump administration has not explained the reason behind the latest leadership move, the timing raises a lot of questions. This comes as the Navy is actively enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports and targeting vessels linked to Tehran during a fragile ceasefire.

Just a day before the announcement was made, Phelan had been publicly addressing sailors and defense industry leaders at the Navy's annual conference in Washington, where he also spoke to reporters about his priorities.

"Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective ...