USA Counter-Terrorism Chief Resigns After Blaming Israel for War With Iran

Joe Kent, the director of the US National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), resigned, saying he could not continue in the role amid the ongoing war with Iran and claiming the conflict was driven by Israeli pressure and lobbying in the United States.

In a resignation letter shared on X, Kent wrote that he was stepping down on moral grounds. He argued that Iran did not pose an “imminent threat” to the US and alleged that Washington entered the conflict because of pressure from Israel and what he described as a powerful pro-Israel lobby in America.

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.

After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.

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… pic.twitter.com/prtu86DpEr

— Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) March 17, 2026

While praising Donald Trump’s first-term foreign policy as tough but restrained, Kent accused the administration of drifting into another long conflict after what he called an influence campaign.

He claimed that early in the administration, Israeli officials and prominent US media voices promoted what he described as misleading messaging that weakened the “America First” stance and helped build public support for war with Iran.

Kent said this created an “echo chamber” that convinced decision-makers Iran was an immediate danger and that swift military action would bring quick results.

Kent warned that the narrative resembled the arguments used to justify the Iraq war, calling it a costly mistake the US should not repeat.