Top Trump official resigns over 'war due to pressure from Israel', President calls it a 'good thing'

A top U.S. intelligence official resigned on Tuesday, stating that he "cannot in good conscience" support the Trump administration's military operation 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, Joe Kent said, as he stepped down from his role as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center. Kent's resignation marks the first time President Trump has faced an internal defection since Operation Epic Fury was launched on February 28.

Kent, a former Green Beret whose appointment was criticized by Democratic lawmakers for his support for extreme right commentators, accused Israel of spreading "misinformation" to woo the U.S. into an unnecessary conflict. "Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran," he wrote in his resignation letter. Kent claimed that the "echo chamber" was used to deceive the President into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States. "This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again," he wrote.

Kent's claims have resonated with some members of the Republican base and several Democrats, but drew sharp rebukes from others, including Trump. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.), vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that while he disagreed with several of Kent's politics, he agrees with the Trump administration official's assessment of the Iran conflict. "I didn't support Kent's nomination. Yet I'm glad he is willing to acknowledge the truth – there was NO imminent threat to the United States, and this war was a terrible idea," Kent wrote on social media. "Even Trump's greatest MAGA advocates can see this war is stupid, costly, and deadly. When will Trump?"

'It's a Good thing he's out': President Trump

When asked about his reaction to Kent's resignation, President Trump said that "it's a good thing" he's out. "I read his statement. I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security," Trump said, before adding, "When I read his statement, I realised that it's a good thing that he's out because he said Iran was not a threat. Iran was a threat. Every country realised what a threat Iran was. The question is whether or not they wanted to do something about it."

Meanwhile, as Operation Epic Fury continues for a third week, Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues to paralyze global energy markets. Brent futures rose 2.7% to $102.95 a barrel on Tuesday. Trump has promised that the blockade will end "very soon" as the United States and Israeli military have been able to completely wipe out Iran's military and missile infrastructure. The U.S. has also called upon its allies to send in military assistance and end the blockade quickly. Iran, on the other hand, continues with its rhetoric of keeping the Strait closed unless the U.S. and Israel end hostilities on their terms, which includes reparations and a guarantee of security from future attacks.