Top U.S. counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war, says Iran posed no imminent threat

Joe Kent resigns as National Counterterrorism Centre head, citing Iran poses no imminent threat amid war pressures from Israel.

Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, announced his resignation on Tuesday (March 17, 2026), saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration's war in Iran.

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Mr. Kent said on social media, 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.” There was no immediate comment from the White House.

Mr. Kent, a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists, was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.

As head of the National Counterterrorism Centre, he was in charge of an agency tasked with analysing and detecting terrorist threats.

Before entering President Donald Trump's administration, Mr. Kent ran two unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in Washington state. He also served in the military, seeing 11 deployments as a Green Beret, followed by work at the CIA.