Prevent US Troops from Falling, Former US Security Official Asks Trump to Handle Israel

Illustration of the United States Army (US). (RDNE Stock project-Pexels)

JAKARTA - Former US high-ranking security official, Joe Kent, asked President Donald Trump to immediately end the war against Iran and control Israel over attempts to escalate the situation in the Middle East.

Kent said the US had sacrificed many of its citizens in the war that began on February 28.

"We honor the fallen heroes by learning from our past and only shedding American blood to defend our nation," Kent said on his X account, Thursday, April 2.

He described the increase in attacks on Iran would result in many casualties from US forces. Israel is known to be expanding its occupation in southern Lebanon through Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that he will not send his troops if the US conducts a ground operation against Iran.

"The best time to get out of the election war is now, before we lose more lives," he said.

"Kami tidak menghormati mereka yang gugur dengan membuat lebih banyak pria dan wanita terbaik kami terbunuh di Timur Tengah.

"Kami menghormati mereka yang gugur dengan belajar dari masa lalu dan hanya menumpahkan darah Amerika untuk membela negara kita.

"The best time to get out of a war of choice is now, before we lose more lives.

— Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) April 2, 2026

The head of the US National Counterterrorism Center, who resigned on Tuesday, March 17 due to his disapproval of the war against Iran, added that the US could declare victory over its aggression against Iran at any time.

However, this certainty can only be done, said Kent, if Trump is able to control Israel over its unilateral military actions in this war, such as attacking an Iranian oil refinery in Tehran without communicating with the US.

"Israel needs our commitment without time limits, we want a quick end to the war. We have very different goals from Israel and must act accordingly," Kent said.