Joe Kent
This was reported by leading international media outlets and the official himself in a published statement, Reuters notes.
Joe Kent became the first high-ranking representative of the U.S. power bloc, who openly left his post in protest against the current conflict, the edition specifies. But at the same time, there are many more dissatisfied with the operation in Iran and the current situation inside and outside the United States.
What is the essence of Joe Kent’s demarche?
According to the published letter of resignation, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center of the United States said that he could not support the actions of the administration.
“I cannot in good faith support this war,” Reuters quoted Kent’s statements as saying.
He also questioned the key justification for the military operation: “Iran did not pose an immediate threat,” the director of the counterterrorism center said.
According to Kent, the decision to start the conflict was made under outside influence: “We started this war under pressure from Israel and its lobbies,” he claimed.
The White House rejected that position, saying the military action was based on intelligence about a credible threat from Iran. US President Donald Trump, commenting on the resignation, called Kent “weak on security issues,” The Washington Post reported.
The publication notes that Kent’s demarche may indicate a deeper rift in the US leadership and increase political pressure on the White House amid the ongoing military campaign.
