US intelligence officials have concluded that Iran is not rebuilding its nuclear enrichment capabilities destroyed in a June 2025 US-Israeli strike, contradicting President Donald Trump’s justification for the ongoing conflict.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, a Trump ally, revealed the assessment in written testimony submitted as part of an annual threat review. However, she did not repeat the conclusion during her oral remarks before the Senate Intelligence Committee.
In her testimony, Gabbard stated that “Operation Midnight Hammer” had effectively dismantled Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme and that there had been no efforts since to restore it. When questioned by a Democratic senator about the omission, she said time constraints prevented her from presenting the full details but did not dispute the findings.
Trump has consistently argued that the joint US-Israeli action was necessary due to an “imminent threat.” While he initially claimed that Iran’s nuclear sites were completely destroyed, he has more recently said Tehran was close to developing a nuclear weapon - an assessment not widely supported by analysts, especially amid ongoing nuclear negotiations.
Adding to the controversy, a senior aide to Gabbard resigned a day earlier, stating there was no imminent threat and alleging that Trump had been misinformed by Israel and sections of the media.
Gabbard also told senators that although Iran has suffered significant losses—including leadership and military setbacks—it remains operational. The US intelligence community believes the Iranian government is still intact but weakened, and if it endures, it may attempt a long-term effort to rebuild its military, missile, and drone capabilities.
