FBI probes ex-US counterterror chief Joe Kent for allegedly leaking classified information after resigning over Iran war

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating Joe Kent, a former top US intelligence official, over an alleged leak of classified information.Kent had resigned earlier this week from his post as director of the National Counterterrorism Center. His resignation came after he openly disagreed with the United States’ and President Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran.According to officials familiar with the matter, the FBI investigation began before Kent stepped down. However, the details of what information may have been leaked are not known yet. Kent announced his resignation on March 17, becoming the first senior official in the administration of Donald Trump to quit over the Iran conflict.In his resignation, Kent said he could not support the war. He stated that Iran did not pose an immediate threat to the United States. He also questioned the reasons behind the military action and suggested that the decision was influenced by external pressure.Kent had been serving as the head of the National Counterterrorism Center since 2025. He is a former US Army officer and has also worked in intelligence roles earlier in his career.After leaving his post, Kent gave interviews in which he repeated his concerns about the war. He said that there was no clear intelligence showing an imminent threat from Iran. His statements have added to the ongoing debate within the US government over the conflict.The White House has defended the decision to carry out military action against Iran. Trump criticised Kent after his resignation and said he disagreed with his views.Other senior officials have also distanced themselves from Kent’s remarks. At the same time, his resignation showed that there are divisions within the administration over foreign policy and national security decisions.