Top US Counterterrorism Chief Resigns Over Iran War, Claims ‘No Imminent Threat’

A major shake-up has hit Washington as Joseph Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), resigned in protest over the escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

In a strongly worded letter to Donald Trump, Kent argued that Iran posed no immediate threat to the United States, accusing external pressure and misinformation of driving the conflict.

Joseph Kent

The former Green Beret officer, who served multiple combat tours, said he could not support a war he believes does not serve American interests, marking the first high-level resignation tied to the crisis.

Kent, who worked under Tulsi Gabbard, also warned against repeating past Middle East conflicts, stressing the human and economic cost of prolonged wars.

The resignation adds to growing global concerns over rising geopolitical tensions and the risk of wider escalation in the region.