Former US Counterterrorism Chief Accuses Israel of Driving Decision to Start War with Iran
In a revealing interview on the Tucker Carlson Show, Joe Kent, the former Director of the US National Counterterrorism Centre, made startling claims about the origins of the recent US-Israel-Iran confrontation. Kent asserted that Israel played a pivotal role in pushing for military action, a move he described as knowingly provocative.
Israel's Central Role in Escalation
Kent stated unequivocally, "The Israelis drove the decision to take this action, which we knew would set off a series of events because the Iranians would retaliate." This highlights a critical perspective on the dynamics behind the conflict, suggesting that Israeli influence was a key factor in the escalation, rather than unilateral US strategy.
Dismissal of Iran's Nuclear Threat
When questioned by Carlson about Iran's proximity to obtaining a nuclear weapon, Kent dismissed the notion entirely. He explained, "No, they weren't three weeks ago when this started, and they weren't in June either. The Iranians have had a religious ruling, a fatwa, against actually developing a nuclear weapon since 2004. That's been in place since 2004. That's available in the public sphere. But then also, we had no intelligence to indicate that that fatwa was being disobeyed or it was on the cusp of being lifted."
Kent further emphasized that claims of an imminent Iranian attack were unfounded. He added, "The President, Secretary of State and Speaker all said the attack was carried out because the Israelis were about to strike. Had they not said that, proving otherwise would have been very difficult. There's simply no case that Iran was planning an immediate attack. It did not exist."
Insights on Iranian Leadership and Regime Stability
Carlson also probed Kent on the potential impact of the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Kent responded, "I don't think the Ayatollah feared dying. Not because he's some crazy lunatic but because he knew if he was killed the regime would survive." This comment sheds light on the perceived resilience of the Iranian political system, even in the face of leadership changes.
Trump's Reaction to Kent's Resignation
The interview touched on broader political reactions, including former US President Donald Trump's response to Kent's resignation. Trump criticized Kent's stance, stating, "I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security. But when I read his statement, I realised that it's a good thing that he's out because he said that Iran was not a threat. Every country realised what a threat Iran was..." This highlights the contentious nature of US policy debates regarding Iran and Middle East security.
Kent's remarks provide a unique insider view into the decision-making processes that led to the conflict, challenging official narratives and raising questions about the true motivations behind the escalation. His dismissal of Iran's nuclear threat, based on public fatwas and lack of intelligence, adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
