Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from his position, citing opposition to the ongoing escalation involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Kent announced his decision in a resignation letter shared on his official X account on Tuesday, stating that he could no longer support the war.

“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation,” he wrote.

He alleged that the conflict, which has intensified since late February, was influenced by pressure from Israel and its allies within the United States, a claim that adds to growing debate over Washington’s role in the crisis.

In the letter addressed to President Donald Trump, Kent said he had supported the administration’s earlier foreign policy approach but believed the current direction risked drawing the US into a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.

He also warned against repeating past military engagements, referencing the Iraq War and its human and economic costs.

Kent, a military veteran, said his personal experiences shaped his stance, adding that he could not support sending American troops into what he described as an unnecessary conflict.

His resignation comes as tensions in the Gulf region continue to escalate, with the conflict now entering its third week and raising global security and economic concerns.

The crisis has already impacted global oil markets, with crude prices rising above $100 per barrel amid fears of supply disruptions.

Meanwhile, European allies have reportedly declined a US request to deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring divisions among Western partners over how to respond to the situation.