U.S. National Counterterrorism Center chief resigns over Iran conflict

On March 17, 2026, Joseph Kent, the Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump. In his formal letter, which was shared on the social platform X, Kent stated that he could no longer support the ongoing military conflict with Iran. He asserted that Iran did not pose an immediate threat to the United States and argued that the decision to engage in war was influenced by pressure from Israeli officials and domestic lobbies. Kent alleged that these parties conducted a misinformation campaign to manipulate the administration into initiating hostilities, comparing the situation to the lead-up to the Iraq War. He specifically claimed that this information environment was designed to deceive the White House regarding the potential for a swift military victory. Kent, who previously served in the military and at the CIA, had faced prior scrutiny for alleged connections to white nationalist groups before his appointment. The White House has not yet provided an official response to the specific allegations regarding external influence on its foreign policy.