Ex-US Counterterror Chief Claims CIA Knew Iran Not Developing Nuclear Weapon

Former National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent has claimed that the US intelligence community, including the CIA, agreed before the Iran war that Tehran was not actively developing a nuclear weapon. According to Kent, American intelligence agencies also warned that Iran would retaliate if attacked by Israel or the US, targeting US bases in the region and shutting down the Strait of Hormuz.

Kent made the claims in a post on X, stating that the intelligence community's assessment was ignored in favor of a narrative spun by Israel. He also argued that targeting Iran's leadership would strengthen the regime and embolden hardliners.

The White House has rejected Kent's comments, with spokesman Davis Ingle accusing the former counterterror official of spreading false claims about Iran and Israel's role in the conflict. President Trump has also denied suggestions that Israel persuaded him to join the war, stating that his decision was based on his long-standing position on Iran and the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.

The controversy surrounding Kent's comments comes after his resignation from the National Counterterrorism Center in March over disagreements about the conflict. Kent had criticized the US decision to enter the war, repeating his view that Iran did not pose an immediate danger to the US.

The US government is expected to continue defending its decision to join the war, while Kent's comments are likely to fuel ongoing debate about the conflict and the role of intelligence assessments in informing US policy. The White House may provide further responses to Kent's claims in the coming days.