Former U.S. counterterrorism chief questions Iran's nuclear weapons threat
Journalist Tucker Carlson asked Joe Kent, the former director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center under the Trump administration, whether Iran was close to acquiring nuclear weapons. Kent replied no, highlighting that since 2004 Iran has had a religious decree (fatwa) forbidding nuclear weapon development, and there was no intelligence indicating this fatwa had been broken.
Kent explained that three weeks ago, at the onset of recent tensions, Iran was not in a position indicating nuclear weapons development. The fatwa has effectively restrained Iran’s nuclear ambitions for two decades.
However, Kent is currently under investigation by the FBI. He noted that in Washington, saying the truth at the wrong time is the fastest way to trigger an investigation.
Joe Kent played a key role in U.S. counterterrorism efforts during Donald Trump’s presidency as head of the National Counterterrorism Center. His insights carry weight in debates about threats posed by Iran and U.S. security policy.
This statement raises further questions about the actual nuclear threat from Iran and highlights the complexity and conflicting nature of information in international media. Future disclosures or confirmations from current or former officials may shed more light.
