The dismissal and departure of several senior U.S. Army commanders under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have created a significant leadership vacuum within the service, raising concerns over military readiness during ongoing tensions with Iran and other global security challenges, The New York Times reported.

According to the report, Hegseth has removed or pressured a number of senior officers to step down since taking office, leaving key leadership positions unfilled.

In April, Hegseth dismissed Army Chief of Staff General Randy George. The position has yet to be permanently filled, while at least three senior officers considered potential successors have also left their posts, the newspaper said.

The number of four-star generals in the U.S. Army has reportedly fallen from 10 to five since Hegseth assumed office in January 2025.

Several key commands are currently being led on an interim basis by officers from other branches of the U.S. military, according to the report.

Senior officials cited by The New York Times warned that the leadership gap could affect the Army's ability to respond to threats posed by Iran and Russia and complicate long-term military planning.

The report also said Hegseth's decisions have fueled concerns about the politicization of the military, with some critics warning that senior commanders may become reluctant to provide independent military advice.

Analysts cited in the report further cautioned that prolonged leadership instability could hinder the Army's efforts to keep pace with Russia and China in rapidly evolving areas such as unmanned systems and artificial intelligence-enabled warfare.

The U.S. Department of Defense has not publicly responded to the report.(ILKHA)