Shifting US Intelligence Assessments Add Pressure as Iran-Israel Conflict Deepens
Former US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard Iran nuclear has issued a stark new warning that Iran may be capable of producing a nuclear weapon “within weeks,” a sharp shift from her previous testimony just months earlier where she stated Iran was not actively building nuclear arms.
Gabbard’s updated assessment aligns with Donald Trump’s position, who recently said Iran has “a tremendous amount of material” and could possess a nuclear weapon “within months.” Trump’s hardline stance comes as military tensions between Israel and Iran rapidly escalate, following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
From Reassurance to Alarm
In March, during congressional testimony, Gabbard stated that while Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile was growing, intelligence agencies had not found evidence of an active nuclear weapons program. The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) later clarified that media had taken her testimony out of context Tulsi Gabbard Iran nuclear.
However, Gabbard’s latest comments on social media suggest she now believes Iran is “at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months.” She emphasized agreement with Trump, declaring that “President Trump has been clear that can’t happen, and I agree.”
Iran’s Position: ‘Nuclear Programme Is Peaceful’
Iran has long denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons, insisting its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes only. Yet, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently expressed serious concern over the size of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, warning it has reached unprecedented levels for a non-nuclear state.
Experts note that enriched uranium can be used both for civilian nuclear energy and, at higher purity levels, for building nuclear weapons. Gabbard’s original testimony also highlighted that Iran’s stockpile was “unprecedented for a state without nuclear weapons.”
Trump’s Deadline: ‘Two Weeks’ to Strike a Deal
On Thursday, Trump dramatically declared that Tehran has “a maximum of two weeks” to reach a new nuclear deal with Washington. He hinted at possible US military involvement in support of Israel, saying he would decide “very soon” whether the US should join ongoing Israeli strikes.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly claimed Iran is just weeks away from producing a bomb, warning that failure to act could leave Iran with a functional weapon in a short time. Israeli air strikes in mid-June targeted what Netanyahu called “the heart” of Iran’s nuclear program, destroying multiple facilities and killing senior Iranian commanders and scientists.
Mounting Casualties as Conflict Intensifies
According to Iran’s Health Ministry, at least 430 people have been killed as a result of the Israeli air strikes, while independent group Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates the unofficial death toll to be as high as 657. In response, Iran launched missile and drone strikes against Israel, killing 25 people, including one fatality due to a heart attack during the attacks.
Disagreements Within Trump’s ‘America First’ Movement
The rapidly escalating situation has sparked internal divisions within the America First movement. Some advisors are wary of entangling the US in a broader Middle East war, while others insist on taking a tough stand against Iran’s nuclear advancements.
Iran Open to Negotiations—Under Conditions
Despite the military conflict, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Tehran remains open to diplomacy, stating Iran is “absolutely ready for a negotiated solution” but cannot enter talks “while our people are under bombardment.”
The situation remains highly volatile, with both regional stability and global nuclear non-proliferation efforts hanging in the balance.
Background: The 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal
In 2015, Iran signed a landmark nuclear deal with world powers, agreeing to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the deal unraveled after Trump withdrew the US in 2018, reimposing harsh sanctions that have fueled today’s renewed tensions.
Whether a new agreement can be reached or if military escalation will spiral further remains uncertain.
