Why is Joe Kent under FBI investigation? Former US counterterrorism chief resigns over Iran war
Former US counterterrorism official resigns Joe Kent He has come under scrutiny after reports he was under investigation Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Suspected of leaking confidential information.
Kent resigned earlier this week as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, where he oversaw analysis of terrorist threats, The Guardian reported. The FBI has not confirmed the investigation and declined to comment on whether such an investigation exists.
Why is Joe Kent under FBI investigation?
There are reports that the FBI investigation is related to possible leaks of classified information during Kent’s tenure, but specific details remain unclear. The timing raises questions because the investigation reportedly began before he resigned, suggesting it was not just the result of his resignation.
The development adds a new dimension to Kent’s departure, which comes after he attracted attention for his public criticism of U.S. policy toward Iran.
Resignation related to Iran’s war stance
Kent becomes first senior US official to step down attack on iranHe said he resigned because different opinions were not fully taken into account in decision-making.
In an interview with Tucker Carlson, he claimed that “a lot of key decision-makers were not allowed to come and express their opinions to the president,” adding that “there was no robust debate.”
He also questioned the intelligence basis for the attack, saying there was no indication that Iran posed an imminent threat. “There is no intelligence that … the Iranians are going to launch this large-scale sneak attack,” he said.
Claims about decision-making and allies
Kent further claimed that the decision to carry out the attack was largely influenced by Israel. “The Israelis drove the decision to take this action,” he said, adding that some of the claims made to U.S. officials were inconsistent with established intelligence.
He said the United States and Israel may have different goals, especially on the issue of regime change in Iran, and argued that Washington’s strategy lacked clarity.
White House response
Kent was a Green Beret who served in combat multiple times before joining the CIA and later heading the National Counterterrorism Center. His duties are overseen by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
After his resignation, President Donald Trump dismissed him as “weak on security” and defended the attack, saying Iran posed a “huge threat.”
The situation remains fluid, with no official confirmation of the FBI investigation and no further details about the alleged leaks being released.
