The Director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, has resigned from his position, citing opposition to President Donald Trump’s war in Iran.
Kent announced his decision on Tuesday, stating that he could no longer support the administration’s stance on the conflict.
“I cannot in good conscience back this war,” he said.
In a statement posted on social media, Kent argued that the justification for the conflict was unfounded.
“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.
Kent, who was confirmed to the role in July on a 52–44 Senate vote, headed the National Counterterrorism Center, the agency responsible for analysing and identifying terrorist threats to the United States.
His resignation marks a significant development within the administration’s national security leadership amid ongoing tensions over U.S. policy toward Iran.
Before his appointment, Kent had contested two congressional elections in Washington state without success. He is also a former Green Beret with 11 deployments and later served in intelligence roles at the Central Intelligence Agency.
His confirmation drew sharp partisan reactions in the Senate. While Republican lawmakers backed his nomination, citing his security credentials, Democrats raised concerns over his past associations and public positions.
Speaking during his confirmation, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton defended Kent’s record, saying he had “dedicated his career to fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe.”
Kent’s departure comes as debate continues in Washington over the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict and broader counterterrorism strategy.
