West Asia War LIVE Updates: Trump’s counter terrorism chief quits in protest over Iran conflict

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Joe Kent’s resignation draws sharp response; Senator Mark Warner criticises record

The resignation triggered a sharp political response, including from Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark R Warner, who criticised Kent’s record but endorsed his core claim on Iran. “Joe Kent’s record is deeply troubling, and in my view, he never should have been confirmed to lead the National Counterterrorism Center,” Warner said.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: `US risked being drawn into another costly conflict under flawed assumptions`

In a resignation letter addressed to President Trump, Kent expanded on his concerns, reiterating that Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation” and warning against repeating past strategic mistakes in the Middle East. He said the United States risked being drawn into another costly conflict under flawed assumptions. 

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Joe Kent cautions against ‘misguided’ Iran war, says it risks American lives

Kent added that “we cannot make this mistake again” and cautioned against decisions driven by external pressure and misinformation. Drawing on his personal experience, Kent said he could not 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”.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: US counterterrorism chief Joe Kent resigns, says he ‘cannot support’ Iran war

Kent also acknowledged his tenure. “It has been an honor serving under @POTUS and @DNIGabbard and leading the professionals at NCTC. May God bless America.” The White House did not immediately respond to a question on his resignation.

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… pic.twitter.com/prtu86DpEr

— Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) March 17, 2026