US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard recently testified before the Senate, providing insight into Iran’s nuclear capabilities amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. However, her oral remarks on March 18 left out a critical detail: since the destruction of Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities during the June 2025 military operation dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, there has been no evidence of Iran restarting its nuclear program. In her prepared testimony, Gabbard asserted, “As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran’s nuclear enrichment program was obliterated. There have been no efforts since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability.” This significant point was absent from her spoken remarks, raising questions about the perceived urgency of the threat from Tehran when juxtaposed with President Donald Trump’s alarming statements.
Senator Mark Warner (D-Va) pressed Gabbard on why she omitted this crucial information, asking, “You omitted that paragraph from your oral opening — was that because the president had said there was an imminent threat?” Gabbard responded, acknowledging that time constraints led her to skip certain sections of her remarks. Despite omitting this key conclusion, she affirmed her support for ongoing military operations, particularly Operation Epic Fury, while not disputing the inactivity of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Notably, in her prepared statements, Gabbard detailed that entrances to Iran’s underground nuclear sites remain sealed and buried in cement. She mentioned that prior to Operation Epic Fury, the intelligence community assessed that Iran was attempting to recover from the extensive damage inflicted on its nuclear infrastructure during the 12-day conflict. Furthermore, she cited ongoing non-compliance with international nuclear obligations, emphasizing that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was still being denied access to critical sites. This assessment contrasts sharply with Trump’s assertions of an imminent nuclear threat, which he used to validate the February 28 strikes conducted in cooperation with Israel.
In light of these developments, Gabbard faced backlash not only from lawmakers but also within her own team. Her senior aide, Joseph Kent, resigned in protest on March 17, citing concerns that the administration’s portrayal of Iran as a looming threat was misguided. Kent argued that the threat from Iran had not escalated beyond levels that have existed since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Moreover, despite significant losses, including the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Gabbard stated that the Iranian regime remains operational. She conveyed that the US intelligence community views Iran’s governmental structure as intact, albeit weakened due to strikes on its leadership and military forces. Gabbard raised a critical warning: should Tehran manage to survive and stabilize, it is likely to initiate a lengthy process to rebuild its military capabilities, including missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the implications of Iran’s nuclear program and military posturing remain at the forefront of international security discussions, necessitating continued scrutiny and informed dialogue.
Categories: National Security, Iran, US Politics
Tags: Tulsi Gabbard, Iran Nuclear Program, Operation Midnight Hammer, Senate Testimony, National Intelligence
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/tulsi-gabbard-says-iran-hasn-t-rebuilt-nuclear-program-challenging-trump-s-imminent-threat-claims-11773867175479.html
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Publish Date: 2026-03-19 02:39:00
