Joe Kent claims Israelis 'drove' US decision to enter Iran war in Tucker Carlson interview

WASHINGTON, DC: Joe Kent, the former head of the National Counterterrorism Center, opened up about his sudden resignation in a wide-ranging interview with Tucker Carlson on Wednesday, March 18, offering a blunt critique of the US decision to strike Iran.

Kent, who stepped down earlier this week, used the conversation to question the reasoning behind the military action and argue that the United States was pulled into the conflict by outside influence rather than a direct threat.

Joe Kent claims Israel drove US Iran strike

During the interview, Kent made it clear he believes the decision to take military action was not driven solely by US interests. “The Israelis drove the decision to take this action,” Kent told Carlson.

He argued that officials were aware of the consequences such a move would trigger. “Which we knew would set off a series of events, meaning the Iranians would retaliate,” he added.

Kent’s remarks directly challenge the narrative put forward by Donald Trump and his administration, which has defended the strikes as necessary to protect American national security.

According to administration officials, Iran posed an imminent threat, and the timing of the attack was based on intelligence assessments. Kent, however, rejected that claim outright.

“That just simply did not exist,” he said, referring to the idea of an imminent threat from Iran.

Joe Kent resignation exposes Trump admin tensions

Kent’s departure from his role has drawn attention not just because of his position, but also because of what it represents politically. He had been a close aide to Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, who has long been known for her skepticism of foreign military interventions.

His resignation comes at a time when internal disagreements over the Iran conflict are becoming more visible, especially among figures aligned with the MAGA movement.

During a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Gabbard was asked directly about the threat posed by Iran. She declined to offer a definitive assessment, saying only that “the president” is the one who determines such matters.

White House slams Joe Kent remarks on Iran

The White House did not hold back in responding to Kent’s comments.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharply criticized his claims about the decision to attack Iran.

She described his remarks as “insulting and laughable,” signaling that the administration has little patience for dissent from within its own ranks.

At the same time, allies of the president have reportedly worked to discredit Kent following his resignation, suggesting his views do not reflect the administration’s strategy.

MAGA divide grows as Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly question war

Kent’s interview has also drawn attention because it aligns with concerns raised by prominent conservative voices like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly. 

Both have expressed skepticism about US involvement in the conflict and have questioned whether the country should engage in another overseas war.

Kent shared a similar view in his discussion with Carlson, arguing the US should have handled Israel differently. “We could have simply said to the Israelis, ‘No, you will not [attack Iran], and if you do, we will take something away from you,'” he said.

He added that while supporting Israel’s defense is reasonable, the US should have more control over how that support is used.

“I think it’s fine that we offer defense to Israel but when we’re providing the means for their defense, we get to dictate the terms of when they go on the offensive, otherwise they stand to lose that relationship,” Kent said.