Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declined to confirm whether U.S. intelligence had assessed Iran as posing an imminent threat prior to recent military operations, during testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on March 18, 2026. Gabbard emphasized that the president, not the intelligence community, determines what constitutes an imminent threat.
Gabbard Defers Imminent Threat Judgment to President
Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) pressed Gabbard to answer if the intelligence community had assessed an “imminent nuclear threat” from Iran. Gabbard refused a direct yes-or-no response, stating, “The only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the president.” She further said, “It is not the intelligence community’s responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent threat.” Gabbard highlighted that U.S. operation “Epic Fury” has significantly degraded Iran’s conventional military capabilities and regional strategic position.
CIA Director Ratcliffe Affirms Iran’s Continuing Threat
In contrast, CIA Director John Ratcliffe asserted that intelligence indicates Iran maintains active nuclear ambitions and missile development. Responding to Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ratcliffe said, “I think Iran has been a constant threat to the United States for an extended period of time and posed an immediate threat at this time.” Ratcliffe disagreed with former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent, who resigned after publicly disputing claims of an imminent Iranian threat.
U.S. and Iranian Military Context
President Donald Trump and administration officials have asserted that Iran’s nuclear stockpiles and ballistic missile capabilities pose an imminent danger to U.S. forces and allies. While Iran does not yet possess missiles capable of reaching the U.S. homeland, intelligence forecasts indicate development toward that capability could occur by 2035. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported Iran had approximately 441 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% as of mid-2025, nearing weapons-grade levels. Final weaponization and missile delivery system development remain unresolved technical challenges.
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