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Trump-Appointed Counterterrorism Director Joe Kent Resigns In Protest Over U.S. War With Iran

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National Counterterrorism Center director resigns over Iran war

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U.S. National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent resigns over Iran war

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Joe Kent resigns, says Iran posed no imminent threat

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“A collapse appears unlikely for now.”

"The collapse of the Iranian government remains unlikely in the near term."

"Our core assumption is that the regime will survive as long as its leaders and security forces retain the ability and willingness to suppress domestic unrest."

It's "unclear if the demonstrations would unseat the leadership, pointing to the sheer depth and resilience of Iran's repressive apparatus."

"It's going to take a few different ingredients for the regime to fall," including "defections in the security services and cracks in the Islamic republic's political elite."

"What this heralds for the Islamic Republic in the near term is neither revolution nor collapse, but rather a slow-motion metastasis that is echoing across the political establishment, the economy, and society."

"Change now looks inevitable; regime collapse is possible but not guaranteed."

"If the regime does not fall this year, it may nonetheless enter a phase of irreversible weakening—one in which future shocks could prove far more difficult to absorb."

"The regime's chances of survival have reached a critical low, and its strategy of perseverance through coercion is being tested by a population that has largely lost faith in the state's ability to govern."

"The plain fact is that the Khamenei regime’s days are numbered."

Will the Current Iranian Government Collapse?

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation on Tuesday, stating he "cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran" and that Iran "posed no imminent threat to our nation."

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation on Tuesday, stating he "cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran" and that Iran "posed no imminent threat to our nation."

Kent, a retired Army Special Forces officer with 11 combat deployments and six Bronze Stars, also served as a paramilitary officer at the CIA before joining the Trump administration.

Kent, a retired Army Special Forces officer with 11 combat deployments and six Bronze Stars, also served as a paramilitary officer at the CIA before joining the Trump administration.

In his resignation letter to Trump, Kent wrote that high-ranking Israeli officials and members of the American media "deployed a misinformation campaign" that he said undermined Trump's "America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran."

In his resignation letter to Trump, Kent wrote that high-ranking Israeli officials and members of the American media "deployed a misinformation campaign" that he said undermined Trump's "America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran."

Kent was confirmed to his post in a 52-44 Senate vote in June 2025. Democrats had opposed his nomination, citing his promotion of conspiracy theories about the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and his ties to rightist figures.

Kent was confirmed to his post in a 52-44 Senate vote in June 2025. Democrats had opposed his nomination, citing his promotion of conspiracy theories about the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and his ties to rightist figures.

Kent is the highest-ranking Trump administration official to resign over the Iran war. Since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, at least 13 American service members have been killed and about 200 injured.

Kent is the highest-ranking Trump administration official to resign over the Iran war. Since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, at least 13 American service members have been killed and about 200 injured.

Rep. Don Bacon, a former Air Force brigadier general, responded to Kent's resignation letter by reposting it with the comment "good riddance," while Tucker Carlson called Kent "the bravest man I know" and praised his decision to resign.

Rep. Don Bacon, a former Air Force brigadier general, responded to Kent's resignation letter by reposting it with the comment "good riddance," while Tucker Carlson called Kent "the bravest man I know" and praised his decision to resign.

Top U.S. Intel Chief Quits Over Iran War

JoeTop KentU.S. resignsIntel fromChief counterterrorismQuits postOver Iran War

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Top U.S. Intel Chief Quits Over Iran War

JoeTop KentU.S. resignsIntel fromChief counterterrorismQuits postOver Iran War

The Controversies

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