World

Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war

By AAP Newswire

Mar 18, 2026

Joe Kent was in charge of a US agency tasked with analysing and detecting terrorist threats. -AP

The head ‌of the ‌United States' National Counterterrorism Center, Joseph ‌Kent, ‌has resigned ⁠over the US-Israel war in ⁠Iran, saying ‌in a letter to President Donald ‌Trump that he "cannot in good conscience" back the action.

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Iran "posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby," Kent said in a post on X.

Kent was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.

As head of the National Counterterrorism Center, Kent was in charge of an agency tasked with analysing and detecting terrorist threats.

Before entering Trump's administration, Kent ran two unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in Washington state.

He also served in the military, seeing 11 deployments as a Green Beret followed by work at the CIA.

Intelligence officials were caught off guard by the resignation.

Kent is close with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who has kept ‌a low profile since the Iran war began.

Gabbard has not issued any public statements and has only appeared in public during the dignified transfer of US soldiers killed earlier this month during the conflict with Iran.

A spokesperson for Gabbard did not immediately respond to questions about Kent's resignation.

The White House also had no immediate comment on Kent's resignation.

with AP