FBI opens investigation into counterterror chief who resigned over Iran war
FBI Launches Inquiry Into Counterterrorism Head Who Resigned Over Iran Conflict
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has initiated an inquiry into Joseph Kent, a high-ranking counterterrorism official who recently stepped down in protest of the U.S. military campaign against Iran. The probe centers on allegations that Kent disclosed sensitive information.
Resignation and Allegations
Kent resigned as director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) on Tuesday, citing his inability to endorse the ongoing conflict with Iran. In a letter to former President Donald Trump, shared on X, he stated, “I cannot in good conscience support the war in Iran.”
“Iran posed no immediate threat to our nation, and it is evident we initiated this war due to pressure from Israel and its influential American lobby,” Kent wrote.
The FBI investigation into Kent reportedly began before his departure, according to unnamed sources from CBS News and The New York Times. One informant described the probe as “months-long,” though the FBI has yet to confirm the details.
Trump’s Justification
President Trump justified the war in a video posted on Truth Social, framing Operation Epic Fury as a defensive measure to counter an alleged nuclear threat from Iran. He also told The Washington Post that the bombing campaign aimed to bring “freedom” to the Iranian people, despite killing nearly 1,500 civilians, including over 200 children.
Leadership and Testimony
Kent, a former special forces veteran, was the highest-ranking official to quit over the Trump administration’s decision to attack Iran alongside its Israeli ally. His role involved analyzing terrorist threats to the U.S., under the oversight of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
After Kent’s resignation, Gabbard asserted on X that Trump alone determined Iran’s threat level. However, analysts noted she did not directly challenge Kent’s assertion that Iran had no imminent danger to the U.S. or provide countering evidence.
“We have seen no indication Iran was rebuilding its nuclear enrichment program after the June strikes,” Gabbard testified to the Senate intelligence committee.
Decision-Making Process
In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Kent revealed that key decision-makers were excluded from presenting their views to Trump. He criticized the lack of thorough discussion, stating, “there wasn’t a robust debate.”
“The Israelis drove the decision to take this action,” Kent emphasized, arguing that the war was motivated by Israeli interests rather than U.S. national security.
Kent reiterated his claim that Iran’s nuclear program was not an imminent threat, asserting that the U.S. and Israel had aligned on the same agenda. However, he noted, “the Israelis are not shying away from regime change,” while the U.S. hesitated to pursue it.
Context of the Conflict
Kent highlighted the historical context of U.S. interventions in the Middle East, referencing the fall of leaders like Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and Saddam Hussein in Iraq. He claimed intelligence assessments showed Iran was always several months to years away from nuclear capability but not actively building it.
“There was no intelligence indicating they were in the process of developing these capabilities,” Kent explained.
He also cited remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated on 2 March that the U.S. strike was a response to an expected Israeli action. “That takes away the argument that there was an imminent threat,” Kent said, noting the war was not a preemptive measure against an immediate attack.
