‘Iran posed no imminent threat’: Top US counterterrorism official resigns, claims decision to attack Iran taken under Israeli pressure

United States Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent on Tuesday resigned feom his post, citing his opposition to the US war against Iran.

In a social media post on X, Kent said that Iran posed no imminent threat to the US and that the decision to start the Iran war was taken under pressure from Israel.

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“After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today. I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. 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,” he said.

The United States, alongside Israel, attacked Iran on February 28. Both Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel was close to making nuclear weapons and posed “existential threat” to its neighbours.

However, Kent, who is a US special forces and CIA veteran, alleged that “high-ranking Israeli officials” and some American journalists influenced President Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran.

“This echo was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posted an imminent threat to the United States,” he wrote in a letter addressed to President Trump. “This was a lie,” he added.

Kent said that he “cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.”

Resignation adds to growing criticism of Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran

His resignation adds to the growing criticism of Trump over his decision to go to war against Iran. According to a recent survey conducted after US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, 59 per cent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s decision to order a military operation against Tehran.

The poll also revealed that 60 per cent of Americans think Trump doesn’t have a clear plan for handling the Iran situation.

Additionally, 62 per cent are of the view that the US President must seek Congressional approval before taking further military action.

Another survey revealed that only one in four Americans approves of US strikes on Iran. The same survey also claimed that half of Americans, including one in four Republicans, believe Trump is too willing to use military power.