The Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joseph Kent, has resigned from his position, citing strong objections to the United States’ involvement in a war with Iran and raising concerns over alleged misinformation influencing the decision.
In a resignation letter addressed to President Donald Trump, Kent said his decision takes immediate effect, stressing that he could no longer support the ongoing conflict.
“After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today,” he wrote.
Kent argued that Iran did not pose an immediate threat to the United States, claiming the conflict was driven by external pressure. “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. 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 stated.
While reaffirming his support for Trump’s earlier foreign policy stance, Kent said the president had previously recognized the dangers of prolonged military engagements in the Middle East. “Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation,” he said.
He also referenced past military actions, noting, “In your first administration, you understood better than any modern President how to decisively apply military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars. You demonstrated this by killing Qasem Soleimani and by defeating ISIS.”
The outgoing director further alleged that a coordinated misinformation campaign influenced the push toward war. “High-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran,” Kent claimed.
According to him, the narrative that Iran posed an imminent danger was misleading. “This was a lie and is the same tactic used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war… We cannot make this mistake again,” he warned.
Drawing from personal experience, Kent emphasized the human cost of war, revealing his background as a veteran. “As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife… I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people,” he said.
He urged the president to reconsider the current course of action. “I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation,” he added.
Kent concluded by expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve, stating, “It was an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great nation.”
