Top counterterrorism official Kent resigns over Trump's Iran war, says Iran posed no imminent threat

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(17 Mar 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVE: Portland, Oregon - 7 October 2024 1. STILL: Joe Kent, Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, speaks during a congressional debate at KATU studios (ID: 26076495470393) 2. STILL: Then Washington 3rd District Republican candidate Joe Kent speaks during a debate at KATU studios (ID: 24297724342556) STORYLINE: Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing his concerns about the justification for military strikes in Iran and saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration’s war. Kent said on social media that 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.” 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 Center, he was in charge of an agency tasked with analyzing and detecting terrorist threats. His resignation reflects unease within Trump’s base about the war and shows that questions about the justification for the use of force in Iran extend to the right of President Donald Trump's base and to senior members of the administration. Trump has offered shifting reasons for the strikes and has pushed back on claims that Israel forced the U.S. to act. Earlier this month, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., suggested that the White House believed Israel was determined to act on its own, leaving the Republican president with a “very difficult decision.” A spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard did not immediately respond to questions about Kent's resignation. The White House also had no immediate comment on Kent's resignation. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/03627978c08f4745ab2b93eb44213fe6