WASHINGTON: John Kent, the head of the United States’ National Counterterrorism Center, has stepped down from his role, citing disagreement with the current military escalation against Iran.
In a public statement shared on social media, Kent explained that he cannot support the war against Iran on moral or ethical grounds. He argued that Iran does not represent an immediate threat to U.S. national security and suggested that the decision to go to war was heavily influenced by Israeli interests and powerful American lobbying groups.
Kent’s resignation letter, sent directly to President Donald Trump, accused Israeli officials of actively participating in shaping U.S. policy and spreading misinformation to persuade America to join the conflict.
He drew parallels between the justifications for attacking Iran and the similar rhetoric used before the 2003 Iraq invasion. Kent, who served in Iraq eleven times, also shared the personal toll of war, mentioning that his wife, Shanin Kent, was killed during a military operation in Syria.
Reflecting on his own military service and personal loss, Kent emphasized that, given his experience and the human costs involved, he cannot endorse sending future generations into a war that does not serve American interests. His stance highlights internal divisions within the U.S. security establishment regarding the ongoing conflict.
