Former US Counterterrorism Chief Urges Withdrawal from Middle East Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions
Joe Kent, former head of the US counterterrorism division, has called on President Donald Trump’s administration to withdraw American forces from the Middle East and shut down Washington’s military bases in the region. This appeal comes amid escalating military tensions between the US and Iran.
Kent warned that continuing to escalate tensions could cause widespread damage to both the US and global economies. He emphasized that there is no “military solution” to this confrontation, and that ongoing hostilities increase the risk of further US military casualties and greater regional instability.
The former US official described America’s military bases in the region as “remnants of past commitments,” saying that restoring the free flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz must be a priority. According to Kent, about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through this waterway.
Kent argued that as long as US forces remain within Iran’s reach, securing meaningful diplomatic gains will be difficult. He called for the withdrawal of “troops, bases, and the US Navy from the region,” asserting that such a move could pave the way for de-escalation and the return of stability.
He also suggested that after the withdrawal of American forces, incentives such as easing sanctions could be offered in exchange for guarantees of safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Kent believes that acknowledging Iran as a major regional power and adjusting policies accordingly will strengthen Washington’s position.
Previously a member of the US Army Special Forces and an officer with the CIA, Kent resigned in March in protest against Washington’s war policies toward Iran. In his resignation letter, he stated that Iran does not pose an immediate threat to the United States, and engaging in another prolonged conflict does not align with America’s strategic interests.
