Joseph Kent has stepped down as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, openly criticising the administration of Donald Trump over the decision to engage in military conflict with Iran.
In a resignation letter released to the public, Kent confirmed that his departure takes effect immediately, saying the decision followed deep reflection about the direction of US foreign policy.
Kent stated that he could not support the ongoing war, insisting that Iran did not present an immediate threat to the United States. He argued that the conflict appeared to be influenced by pressure from Israel and powerful lobbying groups within the United States.
While criticising the current policy direction, Kent acknowledged that he once backed the President’s earlier campaign promises and foreign policy stance. He noted that during previous election campaigns and the first Trump administration, the President frequently warned against prolonged military entanglements in the Middle East that drain American lives and resources.
According to Kent, the earlier administration demonstrated a more strategic use of military force. He pointed to the killing of Qasem Soleimani and the defeat of Islamic State as examples of decisive action without plunging the United States into extended wars.
However, Kent alleged that external influence and misinformation played a role in shifting US policy toward confrontation with Iran. He claimed senior Israeli officials and segments of the American media created a narrative that exaggerated the Iranian threat and pushed the administration toward military action.
He warned that the situation resembles the build-up to the Iraq War, which resulted in heavy American casualties and long-term instability.
Drawing on personal experience, Kent emphasised the human cost of war. A combat veteran who deployed 11 times, he also described himself as a Gold Star husband whose wife died in a conflict he believes was driven by external interests. For that reason, he said he could not support sending another generation of Americans to fight in a war that offers no clear benefit to the country.
Kent ended his letter by urging Trump to reconsider the current course in Iran, warning that the President faces a crucial decision that could either redirect the nation’s path or deepen instability.
His resignation has sparked renewed debate within the US national security establishment and raised fresh concerns about divisions inside the administration over the justification and future of the Iran conflict.
