US National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent Resigns Over Opposition to Iran War

LootboxPhobia · 2026-03-17T14:25:16+00:00

Joe Kent resigned as director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center on Tuesday, opposing a war with Iran, citing that it does not pose an urgent threat to the United States. Kent criticized Israel's lobbying influence on American policy and claimed the conflict was related to combat losses his wife suffered. He supports Trump's foreign policy, warning that war would drain American resources, and accused Israel of manipulating media to mislead Trump.

LootboxPhobia

2026-03-17 14:25:16

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Investing.com – Joe Kent resigned as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center on Tuesday, citing his opposition to the ongoing Iran war.

In his resignation letter to President Trump, Kent stated that he could not support the war and asserted that Iran does not pose an immediate threat to the United States. Kent claimed that the war was initiated due to pressure from Israel and what he called Israel’s lobbying groups in the U.S.

Throughout his military career, Kent participated in 11 combat deployments. In his letter, he mentioned his personal loss as a family member of a fallen soldier. His wife, Shannon, was killed in what he described as a war manufactured by Israel.

Kent expressed support for the foreign policy values advocated by Trump during his campaigns in 2016, 2020, and 2024, which were implemented during Trump’s first term. He stated that until June 2025, the president was aware that the Middle East war would cost American lives and national wealth.

Kent accused senior Israeli officials and members of the U.S. media of launching a disinformation campaign that undermined Trump’s “America First” agenda. He claimed this campaign deceived the president into believing that Iran posed an immediate threat and that victory could be achieved quickly.

The former director compared this situation to the Iraq War, saying Israel used similar tactics to drag the U.S. into that conflict, resulting in thousands of American casualties.

In his resignation letter, Kent urged Trump to reverse Iran policy. The resignation took effect on Tuesday.

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