US Counterterrorism head resigns, saying Iran did not pose immediate threat

WASHINGTON , Mar 18: A top security official in US President Donald Trump's administration resigned over the war in Iran on Tuesday, saying the country had posed no imminent threat to the United States.

Joe Kent, who headed the National Counterterrorism Center, is the first senior official in Trump's administration to resign over the conflict, now in its third week.

"I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. 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," Kent wrote in a letter posted to social media.

Some experts have said an imminent threat would be required for the United States to launch a war under the international law of war.

Kent's letter to Trump included "false claims," said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt in a statement.

"As President Trump has clearly and explicitly stated, he had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first," said Leavitt. "This evidence was compiled from many sources and factors."

Kent did not respond to requests for comment and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the counterterrorism center, also did not immediately respond.

Kent has long been known for his "America First" beliefs and has said he opposes US military interventions abroad.

Still, the announcement came as a surprise, one US official said.

Kent is close with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who has kept a low profile since the Iran war began.    �" REUTERS