A senior official in the administration of Donald Trump has resigned in protest over the ongoing war with Iran, saying the conflict lacks justification. Joe Kent, who headed the National Counterterrorism Center, stepped down on Tuesday, becoming the first high-ranking figure to quit over the war, now in its third week.
In a resignation letter shared publicly, Kent said he could not support the war “in good conscience,” arguing that Iran posed no immediate threat to the United States. He also claimed the conflict was influenced by pressure from Israel and its lobbying networks.
The White House has not issued a detailed response, though officials have maintained that the military action was based on credible intelligence about potential threats. Legal experts note that international law generally requires evidence of an imminent danger to justify such military action.
Kent, known for his “America First” views and opposition to foreign interventions, had long been critical of overseas wars. His resignation reportedly surprised officials within the administration and has highlighted internal divisions over the Iran conflict.
Intelligence assessments had warned that Iran was unlikely to collapse and would likely retaliate against U.S. interests and regional allies. Meanwhile, Mark Warner said there was no credible evidence of an imminent threat, intensifying debate over the war’s legitimacy.
