Joseph Kent, director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned in protest over U.S. involvement in the escalating conflict with Iran.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Kent said he stepped down after “deep personal reflection,” adding that he could no longer support the war effort.
“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” he said, arguing that Iran does not pose an immediate threat to the United States.
Kent also claimed the conflict was driven by external pressures rather than clear national security interests, alleging influence from Israel and its allies.
“Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” he said.
President Donald Trump welcomed Kent’s departure, calling it a positive development in an interview aired on Fox News.
“I always thought he was weak on security. Very weak on security,” Trump said. “When I read his statement, I realized that it’s a good thing he’s out because he said Iran was not a threat.”
Kent’s resignation follows escalating hostilities that began Feb. 28, when Israel launched what it described as pre-emptive missile strikes on Iran. Within hours, Trump confirmed the strikes were carried out in coordination with the United States, marking a significant escalation in tensions.
Since then, Iran has exchanged strikes with U.S. and Israeli forces, raising concerns about a prolonged regional conflict.
The National Counterterrorism Center is the primary U.S. agency responsible for integrating and analyzing terrorism-related intelligence across federal agencies, placing Kent at the center of the country’s counterterrorism strategy before his resignation.
In his statement, Kent referenced Trump’s first administration, suggesting current actions diverge from earlier, more restrained military strategies.
He cited past operations, including the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and campaigns against ISIS, while warning against what he described as a misinformation-driven push toward war.
“This was a lie and is the same tactic used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war,” Kent said, cautioning against repeating past conflicts that cost American lives.
Kent, who said he had been deployed to combat zones 11 times, also pointed to personal losses tied to previous wars.
“I cannot support sending the next generation to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people,” he said.
He urged Trump to reconsider the U.S. role in the conflict and reassess the motivations behind its involvement.
Kent’s resignation marks the first public dissent by a senior official in the Trump administration over the Iran conflict, signaling potential divisions within the national security establishment.
Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have intensified calls for congressional intervention, urging the use of constitutional powers to limit or end U.S. military engagement in the Middle East.
