Joe Kent Urges Withdrawal of US Forces from Middle East Amid Iran Conflict

Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent is urging the withdrawal of US troops from the Middle East in light of ongoing hostilities with Iran. On Sunday, Kent emphasized on social media that this move is crucial to avoid mass casualty incidents and to prevent further escalation.

Get our troops out now before we suffer a mass casualty attack. Break the escalation trap. Trump still has the political strength at home to declare victory and have it resonate, that ability will be lost if we suffer more casualties. Now is the time to leave, immediately,

Kent’s comments were made in response to a recent announcement by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) regarding incidents involving U.S. service members in the region. CENTCOM reported that two soldiers lost their lives and another went missing in Jordan following an Iranian attack on July 17. Unidentified remains were found and are currently being examined.

Additionally, a U.S. service member in northern Iraq died on July 18 due to a controlled detonation involving unexploded ordnance from an Iranian drone attack. Another soldier sustained minor injuries and remains under medical care.

Kent had resigned earlier this year from the counterterrorism post, expressing his dissent against the war with Iran. In his resignation, he questioned Iran’s imminent threat to the US and attributed the conflict to pressures from Israel and its American allies.

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.

He further articulated on social media that ending the conflict on favorable terms involves removing US military assets from the region. He suggested removing troops and bases as a strategic shift adapted to modern warfare, arguing it would reduce Iran’s reasons for regional aggression.

Acknowledging the importance of a diplomatic approach, he proposed offering sanctions relief in return for assuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz (SOH).