18.03.2026 06:10
Joe Kent, the top U.S. official for counterterrorism, resigned in protest against the war in Iran. Kent, whose wife was killed in a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019 and who is a Navy cryptology technician, caused a seismic effect in the U.S. with his decision, while President Donald Trump offered his first comment. Trump said of Kent's move, one of his biggest supporters, "When I read his statement, I understood that it was a good thing for him to be out because he said Iran is not a threat."
As the war between the US-Israel and Iran enters its 19th day, mutual statements and decisions are causing the tension in the region to rise significantly.
DEVELOPMENT SHOCKING THE US While a development with a seismic effect is taking place in the US, the country's top official on counter-terrorism, Joe Kent, resigned from his position in opposition to the war in Iran.
In a post on his social media account, Kent published a letter expressing his reaction to the attacks by the US and Israel on Iran. Reminding that he is a former soldier and lost his wife during the fight against the terrorist organization ISIS, Kent stated, "After long evaluations, I have decided to resign from my position as the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center as of today."
"I CANNOT SUPPORT THE WAR ON MORAL GROUNDS" Kent stated, "I cannot support the current war against Iran on moral grounds," arguing that Iran does not pose a close threat to the US. He emphasized that these attacks by his country were unjustified, saying, "Iran did not pose a close and urgent threat to our country. Moreover, it is clear that this war was initiated as a result of pressures from Israel and the powerful lobby in America."
"THE CLAIM THAT IRAN POSES A CLOSE THREAT TO THE US IS A LIE" Kent used the following expressions in his letter: "At the top of this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media conducted a disinformation campaign that completely undermined your 'America First' platform and sowed war-hungry sentiments to promote war with Iran. This echo chamber was used to convince you that Iran posed a close threat to the US and that there was a clear path to a swift victory if you attacked now. This is a lie and the same tactic used by the Israelis to drag us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost thousands of our best men and women their lives. We cannot make this mistake again."
"NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE BOLD STEPS" Kent, who stated that he participated in conflicts 11 times during his tenure, emphasized that he cannot support sending his country's future generations to fight and die for a war that provides no benefit to the American people. The Director of the National Counterterrorism Center concluded his letter to President Trump with the following words: "I hope you will think about what we are doing in Iran and for whom we are doing it. Now is the time to take bold steps. You can change your direction and chart a new roadmap for our nation, or you can allow us to be further dragged into collapse and chaos. The cards are in your hands."
Shannon Kent. ONE OF TRUMP'S BIGGEST SUPPORTERS Kent's statements and resignation decision created a seismic effect in the US. This is because Kent was known as one of President Donald Trump's biggest supporters, and his wife, Shannon Kent, was a naval cryptology technician who lost her life in a suicide attack in Syria in 2019.
FIRST COMMENT FROM TRUMP President Donald Trump also made his first comment regarding this development. Trump said, "When I read his statement, I realized that it was a good thing for him to be out because he said Iran is not a threat."
WHO IS JOE KENT? Joe Kent, who resigned from his position in the US, is a figure known for his military and intelligence background. Born in 1980, Kent served in the US Army for many years and participated in critical operations, particularly with the 75th Ranger Regiment and Special Forces. He took part in a total of 11 combat missions in various conflict zones, including Iraq. After his military career, he left the army in 2018 and worked in paramilitary operations at the CIA.
A personal loss in his life changed the direction of Kent's career. His wife, Shannon Kent, lost her life in a bombing attack in Syria in 2019. After this incident, Kent turned to politics and ran twice for the US House of Representatives as a Republican but did not win the elections.
In 2025, Kent was nominated by President Donald Trump for the position of Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) and began his role after Senate approval.