US counterterrorism chief resigns, alleges Israel pushed Iran war

The Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, has stepped down from his role, citing opposition to the ongoing war with Iran and alleging that external pressure influenced the decision to enter the conflict.

Kent, who served under President Donald Trump, announced his resignation in a publicly shared letter, stating: “After much reflection, I have decided to resign.” He added, “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran.”
In the letter, Kent argued that the conflict lacked justification, asserting that “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation.” He further claimed that “it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
His resignation makes him the highest-ranking official in the administration to step down over the Iran war, underscoring growing internal divisions within the U.S. government regarding the conflict.
Kent, a former military officer and intelligence official, was appointed to lead the counterterrorism centre in 2025. His departure reportedly caught intelligence officials off guard and has drawn mixed reactions across political circles, with some praising his position while others criticised his comments.
The development comes amid escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, with critics questioning the legal and strategic grounds for the war. Analysts note that U.S. law typically requires proof of an imminent threat to justify military action, a condition Kent insists was not met in this instance.
Kent’s exit highlights deepening disagreements within the administration over foreign policy direction, particularly concerning intervention in the Middle East.