US intelligence chief resigns over Iran war as casualties rise and oil prices surge
TOI GLOBAL | Mar 17, 2026, 19:55 IST
Trump links Iran strikes to lower oil prices
U.S. counterterrorism chief Joe Kent resigned in protest over the Iran war, saying the conflict was unnecessary as fighting continues to spread across the Middle East. Oil prices have surged after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, while casualties rise and political pressure grows in Washington.
A senior U.S. intelligence official has resigned in protest over the ongoing war with Iran, marking the first high-level departure tied to President Donald Trump’s expanding military campaign in the Middle East. The resignation comes as fighting intensifies, global oil prices climb, and concerns grow about the economic and humanitarian consequences of the conflict.
U.S. counterterrorism chief Joe Kent resigned in protest over the Iran war, saying the conflict was unnecessary as fighting continues to spread across the Middle East. Oil prices have surged after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, while casualties rise and political pressure grows in Washington.
Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, stepped down on March 17, saying he could not support the war and believed Iran did not pose an immediate threat to the United States. In his resignation letter, Kent wrote that he was leaving his post “in good conscience,” arguing that the decision to go to war was influenced by outside pressure rather than direct danger to the country.
Kent, a former Army Ranger and CIA paramilitary officer, had been nominated to the counterterrorism role in 2025. His departure is the first known resignation by a senior official linked to the conflict, which has already resulted in American military casualties and a growing U.S. troop presence in the region. The White House did not immediately comment on his claims.
The war has continued to escalate as U.S. and Israeli forces carry out strikes on Iranian targets. Israeli officials said an overnight attack killed Ali Larijani, one of Iran’s top national security figures, although Iranian authorities have not confirmed the report. Israel also said it targeted leaders of Iran-backed groups in the region as part of its broader campaign.
Hundreds of people have been killed since the fighting began, including civilians in Iran and Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have targeted Hezbollah positions. U.S. officials say more than a dozen American service members have died, with hundreds wounded, as additional troops deploy to the Middle East to support ongoing operations.
Human rights investigators have also raised concerns about civilian casualties. A recent report alleged that a U.S. strike early in the war hit a school building in southern Iran, killing dozens of children and teachers. The U.S. government has not confirmed the findings but said it reviews all reports of civilian harm.
The conflict has shaken global energy markets after Iran restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil routes. About one-fifth of global petroleum shipments normally pass through the narrow channel, making any disruption a major concern for the world economy.
U.S. officials say some ships are still moving through the strait, but traffic has slowed sharply. Iran has allowed limited shipments to countries such as China and India, while blocking others, a move analysts say has pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel.
The rise in crude prices has already affected American consumers. The national average for gasoline climbed to about $3.80 per gallon, with prices in parts of the West topping $5. Economists warn that prolonged fighting could increase inflation and raise the risk of a recession if energy costs continue to rise.
Kent’s resignation highlights rising divisions in Washington over the war. Some lawmakers have questioned whether the United States should remain involved in a widening regional conflict, while supporters of the administration argue that military action is necessary to stop Iranian threats to shipping lanes and allies.
President Trump has said the war will continue until U.S. objectives are met, including reopening key trade routes and weakening Iran’s military capabilities. However, with casualties mounting and economic pressure increasing, the conflict is becoming one of the most politically sensitive crises of his presidency.
U.S. counterterrorism chief Joe Kent resigned in protest over the Iran war, saying the conflict was unnecessary as fighting continues to spread across the Middle East. Oil prices have surged after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, while casualties rise and political pressure grows in Washington.
Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, stepped down on March 17, saying he could not support the war and believed Iran did not pose an immediate threat to the United States. In his resignation letter, Kent wrote that he was leaving his post “in good conscience,” arguing that the decision to go to war was influenced by outside pressure rather than direct danger to the country.
Kent, a former Army Ranger and CIA paramilitary officer, had been nominated to the counterterrorism role in 2025. His departure is the first known resignation by a senior official linked to the conflict, which has already resulted in American military casualties and a growing U.S. troop presence in the region. The White House did not immediately comment on his claims.
Conflict widens across the Middle East
The war has continued to escalate as U.S. and Israeli forces carry out strikes on Iranian targets. Israeli officials said an overnight attack killed Ali Larijani, one of Iran’s top national security figures, although Iranian authorities have not confirmed the report. Israel also said it targeted leaders of Iran-backed groups in the region as part of its broader campaign.
Hundreds of people have been killed since the fighting began, including civilians in Iran and Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have targeted Hezbollah positions. U.S. officials say more than a dozen American service members have died, with hundreds wounded, as additional troops deploy to the Middle East to support ongoing operations.
Human rights investigators have also raised concerns about civilian casualties. A recent report alleged that a U.S. strike early in the war hit a school building in southern Iran, killing dozens of children and teachers. The U.S. government has not confirmed the findings but said it reviews all reports of civilian harm.
Strait of Hormuz disruption drives oil prices higher
The conflict has shaken global energy markets after Iran restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil routes. About one-fifth of global petroleum shipments normally pass through the narrow channel, making any disruption a major concern for the world economy.
U.S. officials say some ships are still moving through the strait, but traffic has slowed sharply. Iran has allowed limited shipments to countries such as China and India, while blocking others, a move analysts say has pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel.
The rise in crude prices has already affected American consumers. The national average for gasoline climbed to about $3.80 per gallon, with prices in parts of the West topping $5. Economists warn that prolonged fighting could increase inflation and raise the risk of a recession if energy costs continue to rise.
Growing political pressure at home
Kent’s resignation highlights rising divisions in Washington over the war. Some lawmakers have questioned whether the United States should remain involved in a widening regional conflict, while supporters of the administration argue that military action is necessary to stop Iranian threats to shipping lanes and allies.
President Trump has said the war will continue until U.S. objectives are met, including reopening key trade routes and weakening Iran’s military capabilities. However, with casualties mounting and economic pressure increasing, the conflict is becoming one of the most politically sensitive crises of his presidency.