Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent is urging President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the Middle East, suggesting that the president should declare victory and use sanctions relief as a tool to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Kent stated that Trump's decision to halt retaliatory strikes against Iran was a positive step, indicating a desire to end the conflict. He believes that military force cannot guarantee the opening of the Strait of Hormuz without risking a prolonged and costly war.
"Now is the time for President Trump to pull our troops out of the region," Kent wrote. "He can declare victory (reiterate the previously stated goal—no nukes—was met) & quietly use the carrot of sanctions relief to open the SOH once our troops are out of harm’s way. If we stay, we risk accelerating an escalation/retaliation cycle we can’t control."
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President Trump had previously indicated on social media that the U.S. would not proceed with new attacks against Iran, citing an agreement for a deal that would include the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear program. Trump stated that negotiations were scheduled to begin imminently.
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However, Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency reportedly pushed back against Trump's claims, describing them as "nothing but a new lie." The news agency, citing unnamed Iranian military figures, characterized the U.S. president's assertions as false.
Kent had previously cited his opposition to the Iran war as the reason for his resignation from his director role at the National Counterterrorism Center earlier in the year. He continues to advocate for a strategic patience and military readiness approach, emphasizing a desire to exit the current engagement.
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