Top US Counterterrorism Chief Quits Over Iran War, Urges Trump to Change Course

Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war, urging Trump to 'reverse course'

3/17/2026, 4:43:34 PM en source ↗

Summary

The director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, has resigned in protest over the Trump administration's war against Iran, calling on the president to "reverse course." In his resignation statement, Kent alleged that Trump was drawn into the conflict due to pressure from Israel and its influential lobby in Washington. The resignation marks one of the most senior and public acts of dissent within the administration over the Iran war.

Preview

National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent says Trump "started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby".

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