Top Counter-Terrorism Official Resigns Over Opposition to Iran Conflict

Kathmandu. Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, the body advising the US President Donald Trump and the Director of National Intelligence on terrorism-related challenges, has resigned in protest against the ongoing war with Iran.

Publishing his resignation letter on the social media platform X, Kent clarified that he could not support the current war, calling it something his 'conscience could not accept.' He claimed that Iran poses no immediate threat to the US and made the serious accusation that this war was initiated due to pressure from Israel and the Israeli lobby in the United States.

In his letter, Kent recalled President Trump's past commitments, noting that wars in the Middle East have been a trap for America, costing the invaluable lives of American patriots and damaging the nation's prosperity. This is the highest-level resignation from the Trump administration since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.

The terminology 'immediate threat' used by Kent is considered legally significant, as under US and international law, such a threat must be proven to justify military action without Congressional approval.

Kent, who is also a former Army Ranger and member of the US Special Forces, had commanded war fronts in the Middle East 11 times. His wife was killed in an ISIS suicide bombing in Syria in 2019.

In his resignation letter, he also labeled the death of his wife as a war created by Israel. He firmly wrote that he would not support sending another generation to die in a war that offers no benefit to the American people and whose cost in American lives cannot be justified.

Since the war with Iran began, 13 American soldiers have died so far, along with 1,444 people in Iran, 20 in the Gulf region, and at least 15 in Israel.

When he was appointed last July, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard had praised Kent as a person who would always put the country above himself and make great personal sacrifices.