The FBI is investigating Donald Trump's former top counter-terrorism official - who resigned from the role earlier this week - over alleged leaks, sources have told CBS News, the BBC's US partner. Joe Kent is under investigation in connection with alleged leaks of classified information, with sources telling CBS that the probe began before his departure as US National Counterterrorism Center director.

Announcing his resignation on Tuesday, Kent said he could not support the war in Iran 'in good conscience' and that the country 'posed no imminent threat' to the US - a claim the White House dismissed.

BBC News has contacted the FBI and Kent for comment regarding the allegation of leaks. Following Kent's resignation, the White House dismissed his letter, saying the president had 'compelling evidence' that Iran was going to attack the US first. Trump later rebutted Kent's claims, saying he was a 'nice guy' but that it was a 'good thing' he was out of government, adding that he always thought Kent had been 'very weak on security.'

Kent's claims regarding the Iranian war's motivations have stirred controversy, as former White House officials have alleged that he was often at the center of national security leaks. This letter, addressed to President Trump, accused the war of being influenced by external parties, igniting discussions about accountability within national security decisions.