Trump rejects Gabbard's assessment, says Iran was close to building nuclear bomb
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday openly refuted Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's assessment of Iran's nuclear activities for the first time during his second term.Trump rejected Gabbard's statement that Iran is not currently working on a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, he embraced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim that Israel's airstrikes on Iranian targets were justified because Iran was close to having a nuclear warhead.advertisementWhile travelling back to Washington from the G7 summit in Canada, Trump was asked how close Iran was to building a nuclear bomb, to which he answered, "Very close."
When told that Gabbard had told Congress in March that the US intelligence community believed Iran was not working on a nuclear warhead, Trump replied, "I don't care what she said. I think they were very close to having one."This is not the first instance Trump clashed with US intelligence agencies. During his first term, he often questioned their findings, including reports that Russia tried to influence the 2016 election in his favour. Trump also accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin's denials of the claims.The office of the Director of National Intelligence did not provide any clarification.INTELLIGENCE VIEWS DIFFER ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR PLANSadvertisementTulsi Gabbard told Congress that US spy agencies believe Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has not ordered the restart the nuclear weapons program. According to US and international experts, Iran's nuclear weapons program was put to an end in 2003.However, Iran denied claims to build nuclear weapons. The country says its uranium enrichment is only for peaceful use.According to Reuters, Gabbard's assessment has not changed. US intelligence still believes Iran would need up to three years to build a nuclear warhead that could hit any target it chooses.With inputs from ReutersTune InMust Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
28 minutes ago
- India.com
A Web of Air Power, Intelligence And U.S. Weapons – How Israel Reached Deep Inside Iran
New Delhi: On paper, the odds seem skewed. Israel, a nation of just nine million, is taking on Iran – a regional heavyweight with nearly 90 million people and vastly greater territory. Tel Aviv has built a sophisticated edge with modern weaponry, much of it supplied by the United States and a seasoned intelligence network that reaches far beyond its borders. Israeli jets, equipped with precision-guided munitions, have executed strikes deep inside Iranian territory. Satellite images released on June 15 revealed significant damage to infrastructure above ground in Natanz, one of Iran's key nuclear sites. Israel has claimed near-total control over Tehran's airspace, emphasising that most of Iran's aging fighter jets never even took off. Much of this air dominance stems from Israel's use of U.S.-made aircraft and munitions, including long-range missiles capable of disabling ground-based air defense systems. In one notable operation last October, Israel targeted Iran's S-300 missile defense system from a distance, neutralising a key layer of Iranian protection. Even before air raids began, intelligence agents embedded in Iran reportedly paved the way. Israeli operatives smuggled drones across the border to locate and strike remaining air defense units. These drone strikes, along with the targeted elimination of several Iranian military commanders, crippled Iran's ability to respond quickly. The Arsenal and the Allies Estimates suggest Iran once held the largest arsenal of ballistic missiles in the region, numbering between 2,000 and 3,000. Israel now claims to have destroyed a substantial portion of those, including key production sites and missile launchers. One-third of Iran's surface-to-surface launch systems have reportedly been rendered inoperable. Despite these setbacks, Iran is not out of the game. It still retains short-range air defense missiles that could threaten Israeli aircraft. Military analysts believe Israel, while dominant in the skies for now, has yet to fully neutralise the Iranian threat. Tehran's regional allies have also struggled to offer meaningful resistance. Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza – both long-time beneficiaries of Iranian support – have seen their frontline capabilities severely diminished. However, Yemen's Houthi rebels continue to launch missiles toward Israeli targets, even downing several surveillance drones despite U.S. airstrikes. Beyond the battlefield, Israel relies heavily on Washington. The Iron Dome missile interceptors, bunker-busting bombs and the advanced fighter jets it uses all originate from the United States. Some of these weapons, particularly those capable of reaching deep underground sites like Fordow, are still withheld by Washington. President Donald Trump is reported to have blocked Israeli plans to target Iran's Supreme Leader directly. Even with unmatched air power and intelligence, Israel faces limits. It can disrupt Iran's nuclear ambitions, but fully dismantling them appears out of reach. Changing Iran's leadership remains an even more distant goal. For now, what Israel has achieved is tactical disruption. Whether that translates to strategic success remains to be seen.
India.com
28 minutes ago
- India.com
US Forces Encircle Iran: A Look At America's Military Footprint In The Middle East
Tehran/New Delhi: As tensions with Iran continue to flare, the U.S. military's footprint in the Middle East spans countries both near and far. And its presence is anything but casual. The American military is no stranger to this part of the world. Over the decades, it has constructed a vast grid of installations, some permanent, while others temporary, across at least 19 nations. The noted among them are eight important bases in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Tensions rose earlier this month when Washington partially pulled staff from its embassy in Iraq, citing rising security risks. Families of U.S. personnel based in Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE were also offered voluntary departure. Around the same time, nearly 30 aerial refueling aircraft, KC-135 and KC-46 tankers, were spotted heading toward the region – a rare movement that has sparked intense speculation. Capable of extending the range of fighter jets, these aircraft could play a supporting role if strikes were to escalate. For now, the Pentagon has not explicitly confirmed their purpose. But their arrival in the region follows threats from Iran that any use of U.S. bases to support Israeli operations could draw retaliation. Boots on Shifting Ground The first American boots hit Middle Eastern soil back in July 1958 during the Lebanon crisis. Since then, the number of deployed troops has fluctuated with the shifting sands of regional politics and conflict. Estimates suggest that by mid-2025, somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed across the region. Some of the largest clusters of these forces are found in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. These countries host some of the most strategic U.S. military hubs outside the American mainland – places not just for defense but also for logistics, surveillance and combat readiness. Among them, the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar stands out. Spread across 24 hectares and housing around 100 aircraft and drones, it serves as the forward headquarters for the U.S. Central Command. Built in 1996, this base has been pivotal in operations across Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. With over 10,000 American troops stationed there, it remains a crucial anchor for U.S. strategy in the region. As the geopolitical temperature continues to rise, these bases and the troops within them remain quietly positioned and their presence forming a silent ring around Iran, watching, waiting and ready.
Mint
29 minutes ago
- Mint
‘India-Canada relations extremely important': PM Modi meets Mark Carney at G7 summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada on Tuesday night (local time). Modi said relations between India and Canada are 'extremely important' and the two leaders look forward to working closely to add momentum to the friendship. This was the first meeting between the two leaders since Carney assumed office in May 2025. 'I believe that India-Canada relations are extremely important, and India and Canada should work together and achieve win-win cooperation in several areas,' PM Modi said in his remarks ahead of the bilateral meeting. Modi complimented Canadian PM Carney on the successful hosting of the summit and expressed his enthusiasm for strengthening India-Canada relations and emphasised the shared commitment to democracy, freedom, and the rule of law that binds India and Canada together. "Had an excellent meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Complimented him and the Canadian Government for successfully hosting the G7 Summit. India and Canada are connected by a strong belief in democracy, freedom and rule of law. PM Carney and I look forward to working closely to add momentum to the India-Canada friendship. Areas like trade, energy, space, clean energy, critical minerals, fertilisers and more offer immense potential in this regard," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting. PM Modi's visit to Canada comes after a period of friction between New Delhi and Ottawa, triggered by Canadian allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Canada in 2023. India had strongly rejected the allegations. The diplomatic standoff escalated as both countries expelled senior diplomats in a tit-for-tat response. New Delhi has consistently voiced concerns about extremism and anti-India activities on Canadian soil and urged Canadian authorities to take concrete steps to curb such elements. The two nations agreed to return ambassadors to each other's capitals, turning the page on a bitter spat over Nijjar's assassination as Canada's new leader Carney welcomed counterpart Narendra Modi. PM Carney, who took office in March, had invited Modi to the Canadian Rockies as a guest at the summit of the Group of Seven major economies. Carney's predecessor Justin Trudeau last year publicly accused India of involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil and expelled the Indian ambassador, triggering a furious reciprocal response from India. During the meeting, PM Modi expressed gratitude for the invitation extended to India to participate in the high-level gathering. "I am very grateful to you for inviting India to G7 and I am also fortunate that I have got this opportunity to visit Canada once again after 2015 and connect with the people of Canada," he said, news agency ANI reported. The PM also underscored India's global leadership and contributions. "India is the largest democratic country in the world. As the chair of the G20 Summit, India has taken many initiatives that are beneficial for the world. Today, there is a great opportunity to take the strong foundation that India has laid in the G20 in a new form towards its execution in the G7. India has always been willing to use this opportunity for global good and will remain so in future too," he added. PM Modi also said that India and Canada relations are very important in many ways as Canadian companies have made significant investments in India, leveraging the country's vast market potential and skilled workforce. Conversely, Indian businesses have also established a substantial presence in Canada, contributing to the country's economic growth and diversity. "This is the first time I have got the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister after his election, so I congratulate him for his grand victory in this election and in the coming period, India and Canada will progress together in many areas with him," added PM Modi. Earlier in the day, PM Modi arrived at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge to attend the G7 Summit, marking his return to Canada after nearly a decade. Canadian PM Mark Carney received PM Modi as he arrived at the venue of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. This marks his sixth consecutive participation in the G7 Summit and his first visit to Canada in a decade. PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome at the Calgary airport, where India's acting high commissioner, Chinmoy Naik, was among those who received him. In his opening remarks ahead of the meeting, Mr. Carney said it was a great honour to host PM Modi at the G7. PM Carney also expressed his appreciation for Modi's presence and leadership. He said India has been participating in the G7 since 2018, and this is a 'testament to the importance of your country, to your leadership, and to the importance of the issues that we look to tackle together - from energy security, from the energy transition that you're hoping to lead, to the future of artificial intelligence, to the fight that we have against transnational repression, against terrorism, against other factors, and the work that we can do together.' 'It is my great honour to have you here. I enjoyed your intervention just now and look forward to our discussion,' Carney said. Carney further emphasised shared priorities, saying, 'The issues that we look to tackle together, from energy security, to the future of artificial intelligence, to the fight that we have against transnational repression, against terrorism.' Earlier, PM Modi was formally received by the Canadian leader as he arrived for the G7 Outreach Session. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. This visit marks PM Modi's first trip to Canada in a decade. He heads to Croatia from Canada in the third and last leg of his five-nation tour. I believe that India-Canada relations are extremely important, and India and Canada should work together and achieve win-win cooperation in several areas.
