US National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent Resigns Over Opposition to Iran War

Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), which oversees US counter-terrorism efforts, resigned on March 17, 2026, in opposition to the war policy with Iran. In his resignation letter, Director Kent argued that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the US and that the war was initiated due to pressure from Israel and US lobby groups.

DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard stated on the 17th that President Donald Trump took action after concluding the Iranian regime 'posed an imminent threat'. President Donald Trump reportedly commented on Director Kent's resignation, saying Iran was a threat and his resignation was justified. The incident occurred approximately two weeks after the US and Israel launched military action against Iran.

Director Gabbard explained that the president has the responsibility to determine necessary measures for national security and to decide what constitutes an imminent threat to the nation. She added that taking actions deemed necessary by the president is a constitutional authority, and intelligence agencies indicated that the president decided on a preemptive response after reviewing the evidence.