Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle warned Thursday that the Navy will be forced to implement significant cuts to training, routine operations, and personnel by July without additional funding for ongoing military operations in Iran.

Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, Caudle said the fiscal 2026 budget did not account for Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military operation currently underway in Iran. The admiral indicated that the large naval force deployment has created funding shortfalls that were not anticipated in regular budget planning.

The warning comes as Congress continues to debate supplemental military funding requests. Caudle's testimony suggests the Navy is facing immediate fiscal pressures that could impact readiness and operations if lawmakers do not approve additional appropriations.

The admiral did not specify the exact dollar amount needed or provide detailed breakdowns of which programs would face the most severe cuts. However, his July timeline indicates the Navy expects to exhaust available funds for the Iran operation within months without congressional action.

Operation Epic Fury represents a significant military commitment that has required substantial naval resources, though the full scope and duration of the operation remain unclear from Caudle's public testimony.