Joe Kent Resigns Amid Iran War, Pressures Trump to Reverse Policy

Joe Kent Resigns Amid Iran War

Washington, D.C. — March 17, 2026

The United States’ top counterterrorism official, Joe Kent, has resigned from his position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, citing strong opposition to the ongoing U.S. war with Iran and calling on President Donald Trump to “reverse course.”

Kent announced his resignation in a public letter, stating that he could not “in good conscience” support the administration’s military actions. He argued that Iran posed no immediate threat to the United States and questioned the justification for entering the conflict.

In his remarks, Kent also suggested that external pressures played a role in the decision to go to war, a claim firmly rejected by the White House. President Trump defended the military campaign, insisting that the administration acted on credible intelligence indicating a looming threat from Iran.

Kent’s departure marks the first high-level resignation within the administration directly tied to the Iran conflict, now in its third week. Analysts say the move highlights growing internal divisions over U.S. foreign policy and the strategic direction of the war.

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A former Green Beret and long-time advocate of non-interventionist policies, Kent had been seen as aligned with Trump’s earlier “America First” doctrine. However, his resignation underscores a widening rift between that stance and the administration’s current military engagement in the Middle East.

The resignation has triggered mixed reactions across Washington. Some lawmakers and anti-war voices have supported Kent’s stance, while others criticized his comments as undermining national security at a critical time.

Kent also urged the president to reconsider the path forward, warning that continued escalation could have far-reaching consequences for U.S. security and global stability.

The development comes amid rising tensions in the region and increasing scrutiny from Congress, where hearings on the Iran conflict and its justification are expected in the coming days.