Iran has not attempted to rebuilt nuclear capability: Tulsi Gabbard

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told the Senate Intelligence Committee that Iran has not attempted to rebuild its nuclear enrichment capability following US and Israeli strikes.

In written testimony on Wednesday (March 18), she said the June 2025 operation “Midnight Hammer” effectively destroyed Iran’s enrichment programme, with no steps taken by Tehran since to restore it.

The assessment challenges claims by President Donald Trump, who has cited Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a key justification for military action.

During the hearing, Senator Mark Warner questioned why Gabbard omitted the finding from her oral remarks. She cited time constraints but did not dispute the assessment.

The administration has maintained Iran posed an imminent nuclear threat, though dissent is emerging internally.

National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent resigned this week, saying Iran was not an immediate threat and criticizing the policy shift.

While the White House says Iran’s missile and naval capabilities have been largely degraded, Gabbard offered a more cautious view, noting the system remains intact despite losses of key figures including Ali Khamenei, Ali Larijani and Esmail Khatib.

She warned Iran and its proxies still retain the ability to target US interests and could rebuild drone and missile capabilities in the coming years, as conflicting narratives continue to fuel political tension in Washington.

Source: Al Jazeera