Overview
- Kent announced his departure on X and posted a resignation letter to President Trump explaining his decision.
- He said he could not support the campaign in Iran, arguing Iran posed no immediate threat and alleging Israeli officials and media pushed a disinformation drive; these are his claims.
- He urged Trump to change course on Iran policy and likened current arguments for strikes to the run-up to the 2003 Iraq invasion.
- Trump called Kent a “good guy” but “weak on security,” and a White House spokesperson said his letter contained false assertions, citing what she described as strong evidence Iran planned to attack the United States.
- Radio Svoboda reported Kent is the highest-ranking administration official to quit over the Iran war, as U.S. and Israeli forces have conducted strikes since February 28 that Trump says aim to degrade Iran’s military and prevent a nuclear weapon.