Trump Rejects Intelligence on Iran’s Nuclear Program
Donald Trump has again dismissed the opinion of his intelligence agencies regarding Iran’s nuclear intentions. He directly challenged his own Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, who testified that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.
On Wednesday, Trump said, “She’s wrong.” He told reporters he believes Iran is “very close” to building a nuclear bomb. This comment starkly contradicted Gabbard’s report to Congress in March.
Donald Trump dismisses Tulsi Gabbard’s assessment, claiming Iran is “very close” to building a nuclear weapon, despite intelligence reports. [Credits: ABC News (Donald Trump’s image), and Laura Brett/Zuma/Rex/Shutterstock (image of Tulsi Gabbard)]
Tulsi Gabbard Presented Consensus View to Congress
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s hand-picked intelligence chief, presented a collective assessment from 18 intelligence agencies. She told Congress that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon. She also said that Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorised such a program since suspending it in 2003.
Despite that, Trump told reporters, “I don’t care what she said.” He expressed his belief that Iran is much closer to having a nuclear weapon than reported.
MAGA Base Opposes Foreign Wars
Trump’s base remains strongly opposed to new military actions in the Middle East. Many of his supporters still remember the Iraq War and its basis in faulty intelligence. Trump ran on a promise to avoid such wars, making his pushback against intelligence assessments politically potent.
Tulsi Gabbard also shares these anti-war values, aligning with Trump’s America First stance. She previously spoke against endless military interventions during her time in Congress.
Gabbard Responds, Says Media Took Her Out of Context
Following Trump’s public disagreement, Tulsi Gabbard issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter). She claimed the media had distorted her testimony.
“The dishonest media is intentionally taking my testimony out of context and spreading fake news as a way to manufacture division,” she wrote.
Gabbard also clarified that Iran could technically assemble a weapon “within weeks to months” if it chose to. She insisted that Trump was right to oppose Iran obtaining a bomb.
The dishonest media is intentionally taking my testimony out of context and spreading fake news as a way to manufacture division. America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalize the… pic.twitter.com/mYxjpJY2ud
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) June 20, 2025
Intelligence Agencies Still Stand by Original Assessment
Despite the recent media storm, intelligence sources told Reuters that their position has not changed. They believe Iran could take up to three years to build a deliverable nuclear warhead.
Tulsi Gabbard noted in her testimony that Iran’s uranium stockpile is at record levels. She warned that pro-nuclear voices inside Iran are now emboldened and gaining influence.
Gabbard Shares Hiroshima Message Amid Nuclear Concerns
Just days before the public fallout, Tulsi Gabbard posted a video about her visit to Hiroshima. In it, she warned of the horrors of nuclear war.
She said, “The madness of a nuclear holocaust must never happen again.” The video included dramatic visuals and personal reflections. Some close to Trump say the video annoyed him.
Gabbard’s husband, Abraham Williams, reportedly filmed the content. The release of the video came at a tense moment, with the Iran nuclear issue in the spotlight.
Deep Divisions Among Republicans
The conflict has exposed divisions within the Republican camp. Trump’s supporters like Tucker Carlson oppose US intervention in Iran. Carlson questioned Senator Ted Cruz about Iran’s population in a heated interview.
“You don’t know the population you seek to topple?” Carlson asked. Cruz struggled to answer, revealing how unprepared some hawks appear.
On the other side, Senator Lindsey Graham urged Trump to back Israel against Iran. “If we need to provide bombs to Israel, provide bombs,” he said. Graham also called for regime change in Iran, saying the world would benefit.
The heated argument between Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz [Credit: The Tucker Carlson Network]
Iran’s Enrichment Facility Remains a Flashpoint
Iran’s Fordow facility, located under a mountain, remains a major concern. US experts argue that only nuclear weapons could destroy it.
Jeffrey Lewis, a nonproliferation expert, said the US could use a strategic B61-11 nuclear earth penetrator bomb. It has a yield 20 times stronger than the Hiroshima bomb.
This option frightens many observers, including Tulsi Gabbard, who has long spoken against nuclear escalation.
Israel Raises Alarms, Iran Denies Weapon Intent
Israel claims Iran is on the verge of developing a warhead. This claim has prompted Israeli strikes on nuclear and military targets in Iran.
Iran continues to deny it is pursuing nuclear weapons. It says its uranium enrichment is for peaceful energy purposes.
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Trump Faces Big Decision in Two Weeks
Trump has delayed his final decision on possible US involvement in the Iran conflict. He says he will choose between military or diplomatic action within two weeks.
Supporters and critics alike wait to see which side will influence him more. Tulsi Gabbard now finds herself caught between supporting the president and defending her professional judgment.
As Trump weighs his options, the stakes grow higher by the day. For now, the world watches and waits.
