Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent has renewed his call for President Donald Trump to withdraw US forces from the Middle East, arguing that Trump can now declare victory over Iran and bring troops home. The comments follow Trump's decision to halt planned retaliatory strikes on Iran in favour of pursuing a diplomatic settlement, a move Kent welcomed as evidence that the president wants to avoid prolonged military involvement in the region.

Kent argued that Iran is unlikely to fully restore free passage through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war conditions, and suggested the United States should accept that military force cannot resolve every aspect of the standoff. His remarks come amid wider reporting that the recent conflict with Iran significantly depleted key US munitions stockpiles, and as Trump has indicated new talks with Iran are due to begin, framing a shift towards negotiation over further confrontation.