Donald Trump's top counterterrorism official has resigned over the war in Iran, urging the president to 'reverse course'. In a letter posted on X, National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent stated that Iran posed 'no imminent threat' to the US and claimed that the administration 'started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby'. The White House dismissed his letter, arguing that Trump had 'compelling evidence' of an impending Iranian attack. Kent's resignation marks a significant public critique from a senior official within the administration regarding the US-Israeli military actions against Iran.

In his resignation letter, Kent alleged that misinformation propagated by 'high-ranking Israeli officials' and influential American journalists led Trump to undermine his 'America First' platform. He accused them of framing Iran as a threat that justified the ongoing conflict, deeming it an untruth. Kent's departure has sparked mixed reactions across the political landscape, with some supporting his views and others condemning the statements as 'antisemitic tropes'. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Kent's claims 'insulting and laughable'.

Joe Kent, a decorated military veteran, expressed that he could not support sending future generations into a war that he believes does not benefit the American public. Kent has previously come under scrutiny for his controversial opinions and associations, but his latest comments signal a profound rift over US foreign policy within the Trump administration as it continues to navigate the complex landscape of Middle Eastern geopolitics.