U.S. President Donald Trump’s top counterterrorism official has resigned over the war in Iran, urging the president to “reverse course”.

In a letter posted on X, National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent said that Iran posed “no imminent threat” to the US and claimed the administration “started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby”.

“After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today. I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. 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. It has been an honor serving under the President of the United States and Director of National Intelligence and leading the professionals at NCTC. May God bless America,” Kent said on X, posting his resignation letter.

Asked to comment at the White House, Trump said Kent was a “nice guy”, but “weak on security”.

He also said Kent’s resignation letter had made him realize “it was a good thing that he’s out,” the BBC reported.

The White House dismissed the letter, saying the president had “compelling evidence” that Iran was going to attack the US first.

CNN reported citing two White House officials and a person familiar with the matter that Kent met with Vice President JD Vance on Monday, laying out why he intended to step down over concerns about the war in Iran and presenting his resignation letter.

The person familiar with the meeting told CNN that Vance and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard were in the room as Kent laid out his reasoning, and the White House officials said Vance encouraged Kent to speak with Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff, before formally submitting his resignation. One of the officials said he ultimately did so before making his public statement.