Former US Counterterror Chief Kent Blames Israel for Iran War, Accuses
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Former US Counterterror Chief Kent Blames Israel for Iran War, Accuses

19 March, 2026.Iran.11 sources

Key Takeaways

  • Resigned as National Counterterrorism Center head in protest of Iran policy.
  • Blames Israel and its influence for pushing the US into the Iran war.
  • Argued Iran was not close to developing a nuclear weapon.

Kent Links War Pressure to Israel

He suggested Israel may have been involved in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

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His resignation sparked accusations of antisemitism from Senator McConnell.

Kent: Iran Not Near Nuclear Weapon

Kent asserted Iran was not on the verge of obtaining a nuclear weapon.

He cited Khamenei's 2004 religious fatwa against nuclear arms as public knowledge.

Image from Associated Press
Associated PressAssociated Press

His view contradicted the Trump administration's justification for the strikes.

Debate Over Alliance Costs and Authority

The war exposed fissures in the US-Israel alliance, described as a costly state-backed arrangement.

The American public overwhelmingly opposed the war, with only 27% approval.

Kent's accusations tapped into broader debates over Israel's influence on US policy.

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