Former US National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent has revealed that the American intelligence community agreed Iran was not developing a nuclear weapon prior to the outbreak of the US-Israel war on Iran, sparking fresh controversy over the conflict's origins.
Former US counterterrorism official Joe Kent stated that the intelligence community properly assessed the risks before the war began. | 🖼️ Photo: AP
📋 AI Summary
- Former counterterrorism head Joe Kent stated that US intel agreed Iran was not developing a nuclear weapon before the war.
- Kent claimed Israel and some US media figures ran a misinformation campaign to push America into the conflict.
- He noted the intelligence community correctly predicted Iran's retaliation and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
- The White House dismissed Kent's claims as "lies," insisting President Trump acted on evidence of an imminent threat.
- The US has recently imposed a blockade on Iranian ports following a stalled truce mediated by Pakistan.
📝 Table of Contents
🗂️ Pre-war intelligence assessment
Taking to social media platform X, former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent expressed his dismay over the ongoing conflict, highlighting a critical intelligence consensus. "One of the many tragedies of this war is that before the war began the U.S. Intel Community, including CIA, was in agreement that Iran wasn't developing a nuclear weapon," Kent wrote on Thursday.
Kent further elaborated that US intelligence had accurately predicted the consequences of attacking Iran. They determined that Tehran would retaliate against US military bases and shut down the strategic Strait of Hormuz—both of which materialized after the US and Israel launched their offensive on February 28.
He added that the intelligence community also assessed that targeting the Iranian leadership would only strengthen the regime and embolden hardliners. "Despite the professionalism & accuracy of the IC, the narrative & agenda spun by a foreign government- Israel, won the argument & forced us into this war," Kent stated.
🗂️ Allegations of misinformation
Kent, who resigned from his post on March 17 due to profound disagreements over the decision to go to war, shared a letter addressed to US President Trump. In the letter, he accused high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media of deploying a deliberate misinformation campaign.
He argued that this "echo chamber" was used to deceive the administration into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat and that a swift victory was achievable. Kent drew direct parallels between these tactics and those used to draw the United States into the disastrous Iraq war following the September 11 attacks.
"We need to understand exactly how this happened to ensure we are never put in this position again," Kent emphasized, warning against the abandonment of the America First platform.
🗂️ White House refutes claims
The White House was quick to push back against the explosive allegations. Spokesperson Davis Ingle strongly condemned Kent's statements, describing his resignation letter and recent comments as "self-aggrandising" and "riddled with lies."
Ingle specifically targeted Kent's assertion that Iran did not pose a danger. "Most egregious are Kent’s false claims that the largest state sponsor of terrorism somehow did not pose a threat to the United States and that Israel forced the President into launching Operation Epic Fury," he told reporters.
According to Ingle, President Trump, acting as Commander-in-Chief, took decisive action based on strong evidence indicating that the Iranian regime was preparing to strike Americans first, prioritizing the safety and security of the nation.
🗂️ Blockade and regional tensions
Middle East tensions have remained at a boiling point since US and Israeli forces struck Iran on February 28. In retaliation, Tehran targeted Israel and US allies, effectively closing the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway.
A temporary truce, mediated by Pakistan, commenced on April 8. However, talks in Islamabad failed to yield a permanent deal. While Trump later extended the truce indefinitely, the US initiated a strict blockade on Iranian ports just five days later, a move projected to cost the Iranian economy approximately $450 million a day.
💡 FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- ⚫ Who is Joe Kent and why did he resign?
➜ Joe Kent is the former US National Counterterrorism Center Director. He resigned on March 17 over disagreements regarding the decision to go to war with Iran. - 🔵 What did the US intelligence community conclude about Iran's nuclear program?
➜ According to Kent, the intelligence community, including the CIA, agreed that Iran was not developing a nuclear weapon before the war began. - ⚫ How did the White House respond to Kent's allegations?
➜ The White House dismissed his claims as "lies," stating that President Trump launched "Operation Epic Fury" based on strong evidence of an imminent threat from Iran. - 🔵 What is the current status of the US-Iran conflict?
➜ Following a stalled truce mediated by Pakistan, the US has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, reportedly costing Iran's economy around $450 million daily.
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