“Weak on Security”: Trump fires back as NCTC director quits over Iran conflict

• Joseph Kent resigns as director of the National Counterterrorism Center over opposition to US involvement in the Iran war
• Donald Trump welcomes Kent’s exit, describing him as “weak on security”
• Kent insisted that Iran posed no imminent threat to the US and alleges the war was influenced by Israeli pressure and American lobbying interests

The United States President, Donald Trump, has criticised the outgoing director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joseph Kent, following his resignation over America’s involvement in the ongoing Iran conflict.

Kent stepped down from his role as director of the NCTC, citing strong opposition to the United States’ participation in the war.

Reacting to the development during an interview on Fox News, Trump welcomed the resignation, questioning Kent’s judgment on national security.

“I always thought he was weak on security. Very weak on security. I didn’t know him well. But I thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy,” Trump said.

“But when I read his statement, I realised that it’s a good thing he’s out because he said Iran was not a threat.”

Kent’s exit comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, which began on February 28 after Israel launched what it described as pre-emptive missile strikes on Iran.

Shortly after, Trump confirmed that the strikes were carried out in coordination with the United States, significantly raising the stakes of the conflict.

Since then, Iran has engaged in a series of retaliatory attacks involving US and Israeli forces, heightening fears of a prolonged regional war.

The NCTC, a key US agency responsible for coordinating terrorism intelligence across federal institutions, placed Kent at the heart of America’s counterterrorism strategy before his departure.

In a statement announcing his resignation, Kent said the decision followed deep reflection, stressing that he could no longer support the administration’s approach.

“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” he said.

Kent argued that Iran did not pose an immediate threat to the United States and suggested that external pressures influenced the decision to go to war.

“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 stated.

Referencing Trump’s earlier time in office, Kent claimed the current strategy marked a departure from previously measured military actions.

“In your first administration, you understood better than any modern president how to decisively apply military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars,” he said.

He also cited past operations, including the killing of Qassem Soleimani and campaigns against ISIS, alleging that influential figures had shaped public opinion in favour of military escalation.

“Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that undermined your America First platform and encouraged pro-war sentiments,” he said.

According to Kent, such narratives created an “echo chamber” that misled policymakers into believing there was an imminent threat and a clear path to a swift military victory.

“This was a lie and is the same tactic used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war,” he added.

Drawing from his own experience, Kent, who said he had been deployed to combat zones 11 times, warned against repeating past mistakes.

“I cannot support sending the next generation to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people,” he said.

He urged Trump to reassess the United States’ involvement in the conflict and reflect on the motivations behind it.

Kent’s resignation marks the first major public dissent from a senior official within the administration over the Iran conflict, signalling possible divisions within the US national security establishment.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have intensified calls for congressional intervention, urging the use of constitutional powers to potentially halt US military engagement in the Middle East.