In a surprising break from his own intelligence community, U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed the official American assessment that Iran is not actively pursuing nuclear weapons. Instead, he has thrown his support behind Israel’s warnings, stating that Iran is dangerously close to developing a nuclear bomb.
Taking to social media, Trump even went so far as to threaten Iran with unconditional surrender—a move that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles.
U.S. Intel Chief Tulsi Gabbard Says Iran Not Restarting Its Nuclear Program
Earlier this year, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard told U.S. lawmakers that Iran had not resumed its nuclear weapons program, and that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had not approved restarting the previously halted initiative. Gabbard’s comments were based on multi-agency assessments and satellite intelligence.
Trump Responds: “I Don’t Care What They Said”
However, Trump dismissed Gabbard’s findings while returning to Washington from the G7 Summit. In remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said:
“I don’t care what they said. Iran is very close to building a bomb.”
He even cut short his participation in the G7 Summit to return and focus on the growing conflict between Israel and Iran, underscoring the urgency he perceives.
Aligning with Netanyahu Over U.S. Intelligence
Trump’s stance places him squarely in alignment with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long warned the world about the “imminent threat” of a nuclear-armed Iran. This puts Trump at odds with his own top intelligence official, creating a situation that echoes similar tensions from his first term.
Flashback: Trump vs. the Intel Community
Trump’s current dismissal of Gabbard’s findings brings back memories of his first-term clashes with the intelligence community, when he frequently labeled them as part of the so-called “deep state.”
Notable Examples:
| Year | Event | Trump’s Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Russian election interference | Sided with Putin over U.S. intel |
| 2020 | Iran nuclear assessments | Dismissed CIA and DNI conclusions |
| 2025 | Current Iran crisis | Backs Israel, rejects Gabbard’s report |
Tulsi Gabbard: A Controversial Appointment
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who left the party in 2022 and aligned with Trump, was narrowly confirmed by a Republican-led Senate despite concerns over her limited experience in managing large intelligence operations.
Her selection was seen by some as another example of Trump preferring personal loyalty over institutional expertise. She is expected to testify behind closed doors on Capitol Hill alongside CIA Director John Ratcliffe, facing questions on both Iran’s nuclear intentions and Trump’s latest inflammatory comments.
Read More: Bunker Buster Bomb: If Israel Gets This, Iran’s Mountain Fortresses Are Toast
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