Trump faults Joseph Kent resignation moves over Iran war

Director of the US National Counterterrorism Centre, Joseph Kent reportedly resigned from his position in protest against America’s involvement in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Kent’s resignation follows escalating hostilities that began on February 28 when Israel launched what it described as pre-emptive missile strikes on Iran.

Reacting shortly after his exit, US President, Donald Trump, welcomed the development, saying it was a good thing that he is out.

Trump, in an interview aired on Fox News, said, “I always thought he was weak on security. Very weak on security. I didn’t know him well. But I thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy.

“But when I read his statement, I realised that it’s a good thing he’s out because he said Iran was not a threat.”

Kent who resigned following escalation tension and American’s involvement, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the strikes were carried out in collaboration with the United States, marking a significant escalation in tensions.

Since then, Iran has engaged in a series of strikes and counterstrikes with US and Israeli forces, raising fears of a prolonged regional war.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Kent said his decision to step down came after deep personal reflection, stressing that he could no longer support the war effort.

“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” he said.

Kent argued that Iran did not pose an immediate threat to the United States and claimed the conflict was driven by external pressures rather than clear national security interests.

“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 stated.

Citing past actions, including the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and operations against ISIS, Kent further alleged that influential actors had shaped public perception in favour of war.

Kent warned against repeating past mistakes that cost thousands of American lives.

The outgoing director, who said he had been deployed to combat zones 11 times, also revealed personal losses tied to previous conflicts.

“I cannot support sending the next generation to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people,” he said.

Kent urged President Trump to reconsider the United States’ role in the conflict and reflect on the motivations behind its involvement.

His resignation marks the first public dissent by a senior official within the Trump administration over the Iran conflict, signalling potential fractures within the government’s national security establishment.