Opinion: Ex-Trump counterterror chief Joe Kent warns against Iran 'trap'

Former counterterrorism official Joe Kent is warning that the administration’s current approach is pushing toward a return to open conflict with Iran. Kent argues that by increasing sanctions while signaling that Washington will not strike before the midterms, the U.S. is daring Iran to retaliate and providing officials with a justification to resume an unpopular war.

Kent advocates for pulling American troops and ships out of the region, relying on economic pressure instead, and avoiding what he describes as an escalation trap. He resigned from his post in March after concluding that Iran posed no imminent threat and that he had been misled about the threat picture.