Iran War and U.S. National Security

Joe Kent, the National Counterterrorism Center director, abruptly resigned March 17, 2026, posting a letter saying Iran "posed no imminent threat" and accusing the administration of prosecuting a war "manufactured" by Israel and its U.S. lobby — a protest framed by some as the first high‑profile departure over the Iran conflict amid scrutiny of Kent’s far‑right ties and contested confirmation. The White House rebuked Kent, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying President Trump had "strong and compelling evidence" Iran planned to strike the U.S. and that Operation Epic Fury reduced that risk, while Trump and congressional Republicans defended the administration’s threat assessment.