For U.S. (American) President Donald Trump, the Iran war appears to be turning into a major headache, especially after NATO countries refused to send troops to open the Strait of Hormuz, leading to the resignation of the NCTC Director.
SNPNEWS.IN News (Gurmail Kamboj): On February 28, in the initial days of the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, claims were being made that the Iranian administration would surrender within a few days, and the people there would stage a coup like in Iraq and Libya, paving the way for a puppet government of the U.S. and Israel. However, after 19 days of war, it is proving difficult for America. The latest example of this is the resignation of NCTC Director Joe Kent in opposition to the Iran war.
Joe Kent (a U.S. Army veteran from the Special Forces, former CIA officer, and considered a Trump supporter) was nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center on February 3, 2025, and confirmed by the Senate on July 30, 2025. On March 17, he confirmed his resignation via a post on X.
In his post, he wrote: “After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center effective today. I cannot, in good conscience, support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our country, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful lobby in America.”
Additionally, large-scale protests and demonstrations against the Iran war are taking place across America. Activists like Jane Fonda participated in a rally against the war in Los Angeles. According to polls conducted by organizations such as CNN, PBS/NPR/Marist, and Reuters/Ipsos, a majority of Americans are opposed to this war.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance was “skeptical” about the war even before it began and expressed opposition inside the White House. He supports the “America First” policy and appears concerned about the war’s “success,” though he has not openly opposed it yet.
According to some reports, several top generals in the Pentagon expressed dissatisfaction with the war and prepared to resign (especially due to underestimating Iran’s retaliatory attacks and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz).
Democrats introduced a War Powers Resolution (to stop the war), which was rejected in the House by a vote of 219-212. Leaders like Gregory Meeks stated that Trump should have sought approval from Congress.
Tucker Carlson, Senator Rand Paul, Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG), Megyn Kelly, Steve Bannon, and Joe Rogan have strongly criticized Trump’s decision, calling the war a “betrayal of America First” and “unprovoked.” They described it as pressure from the “Israel lobby” and questioned, “Why is the American president doing this?”
In the early stages of the U.S.-Israel-Iran war, President Donald Trump was seen claiming that the war would end quickly, inciting the Iranian people to stage a coup , and boasting of victory. However, after 19 days, the situation in the Middle East has become a cause for concern worldwide. After the U.S.-Israel attacks, Iran targeted large-scale U.S. military bases and infrastructure in Gulf countries, putting other Gulf nations (U.S. supporters) besides Israel in a dilemma.
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In addition to targeting Arab countries’ economic infrastructure and U.S. military bases, Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz (through which a large portion of the world’s crude oil supply from Arab countries passes) has caused global crude oil prices to skyrocket. Following Iran’s decision to target the global economy, pressure is mounting on America to stop the war or reach a compromise.
For this reason, President Donald Trump asked NATO countries to send their military units to open the Strait of Hormuz. However, most of NATO’s 32 members do not appear to support the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran. Most NATO countries (especially Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the UK) have directly refused military involvement, stating, “This is not NATO’s war,” and therefore they do not support the war against Iran.
After NATO countries refused to participate in the U.S.-Israel-Iran war, President Donald Trump told the Financial Times in an interview that if NATO members do not help open and secure the Strait of Hormuz (such as by sending warships to escort oil tankers), it would be a “very bad future” for NATO.
Trump said he is talking to about 7 countries that could help (including France, Britain, Japan, South Korea, China, etc.), but most have refused.
He stated: “NATO is making a foolish mistake” and “We don’t need any help” — meaning America can handle it alone, but NATO should help because they too depend on the oil. Trump called NATO a “one-sided alliance” and said America spends a lot of money protecting Europe but gets no help in return.
He also warned Iran: “Whatever they wanted to shoot, they’ve shot it; now if they do anything cute, it will be the end of their country.” Trump claimed America has “decimated” Iran’s navy, air force, and leadership, so no help is needed.
Many media outlets have viewed this as a threat, as Trump has previously called NATO members “freeloaders” and discussed America leaving NATO.