The National Counterterrorism Center Director, Joe Kent, has resigned over the war in Iran, urging President Trump to 'reverse course'.
Kent, a US special forces and CIA veteran, stated in a letter that Iran posed 'no imminent threat' to the US and claimed the administration started the war due to pressure from Israel and its American lobby.
The White House has dismissed the letter, with Trump saying he had 'compelling evidence' that Iran was going to attack the US first.
Background on Joe Kent
Kent, 45, is a veteran whose wife, Navy cryptologic technician Shannon Kent, was killed in a bombing in Syria in 2019.
He was nominated by Trump early in his administration and narrowly confirmed to his post, with many Democrats criticizing his links to extremist groups.
Response to Resignation
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Kent's suggestion that Trump made the decision based on the influence of others is 'both insulting and laughable'.
Conservative media commentator Tucker Carlson praised Kent, saying he is 'the bravest man I know' and 'can't be dismissed as a nut'.
Implications and Reactions
Kent's resignation is the most high-profile departure from the Trump administration to publicly criticize the US-Israeli operation in Iran.
US allies have either pushed back or remained cautious on Trump's initial request to send ships to the crucial oil route.
