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

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hans India

17 minutes ago

• Hans India

TTD refutes Bhumana's allegations on temple practices

Tirupati: Reacting sharply to allegations made by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) former chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy on Friday, the TTD issued a firm denial, stating that his accusations were completely false and lacked any factual basis. In a strongly worded statement, the TTD condemned Karunakar Reddy;s remarks, terming them as an unjustified attempt to tarnish the reputation of the revered religious institution. Addressing allegations related to Vedic traditions, the TTD clarified that far from diminishing the role of Vedic recitation in the temple, the institution has, over the past year, taken multiple steps to enhance and stabilise these practices. 'It is completely untrue to say that there is any attempt to undermine generations of Vedic recitation,' the statement read. The TTD highlighted that the divine chant 'Om Namo Venkatesaya' has been prominently broadcast across the temple premises, including footpaths, queue lines, and service areas. Countering claims that temple priests were not being treated with respect, the TTD reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of priests and Vedic students, stating that several initiatives were underway to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing. Responding to accusations about notices issued to various religious mutts in Tirumala, the TTD clarified that such actions were purely in line with court directives. Specific notices were served only to those institutions, including Visakha Sharada Peetham, that had encroached upon land beyond their allotted areas. The TTD further pointed to reforms undertaken over the past year aimed at streamlining darshan services and enhancing the pilgrim experience. These included scientific queue management, the addition of 22 food counters, and the distribution of free Annaprasadam, beverages, and snacks. Notably, the institution is also working towards implementing Artificial Intelligence-based darshan management systems. On the issue of transparency, especially following the 2023 Parakamani scandal, the TTD emphasised that a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) and an armoured security system were now in place to restore trust. Under this everyone entering Parakamani will have to undergo security checks and thorough scrutiny. 'With over 90 per cent of devotees expressing satisfaction through multiple feedback channels, it is inappropriate for a former Chairman to level false charges,' the TTD said, urging public figures to verify facts before making allegations.

News18

19 minutes ago

• News18

Trump Says Harvard Acted 'Extremely Appropriately' During Talks, Likely To Reach A Deal Soon

Last Updated: Harvard had sued the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies against Trump's efforts to block international students and cut federal grants. US President Donald Trump on Friday said Harvard has 'acted extremely appropriately" during negotiations and a deal could be announced soon, signalling a shift in his administration's efforts to target the university as a US judge blocked his ban on international students. 'Many people have been asking what is going on with Harvard University and their largescale improprieties that we have been addressing, looking for a solution. We have been working closely with Harvard, and it is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so," he said on his Truth Social platform. 'They have acted extremely appropriately during these negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right. If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly" HISTORIC, and very good for our Country," he added. A source told CNN that while the Trump administration is engaged in talks with a very small circle of Harvard leadership, a final agreement has not been reached. Such an agreement could potentially resolve outstanding legal battles between the administration and the university. Trump had targeted Harvard by revoking its ability to host international students and scholars and freezing federal funding, after his allies argued that they were cracking down on antisemitism on the campus amid the Israel-Hamas war. US Judge Blocks Trump Ban On Foreign Students After Trump's statement, a federal judge blocked Trump's bid to block Harvard from enrolling foreign students, while legal proceedings continue. Harvard had sued the Trump administration to block foreign students and funding, arguing that they were illegal and unconstitutional. Harvard previously secured two temporary restraining orders from Burroughs against the government's move to bar international students, and the judge extended it with a preliminary injunction on Friday. In court filings, Harvard argued that Trump's actions were 'retribution for Harvard's exercising its First Amendment rights to reject the government's demands to control Harvard's governance, curriculum, and the 'ideology' of its faculty and students." It is worth mentioning that international students are a major source of revenue for Harvard, accounting for 27% of total enrollment at Harvard in the 2024-2025 academic year. Last week, US Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the administration believes Harvard has taken steps to combat antisemitism on campus and that some progress has been made. (with agency inputs) First Published:

The Hindu

21 minutes ago

• The Hindu

Israel-Iran conflict LIVE: Trump says two weeks is ‘maximum' for Iran decision

Israel and Iran traded strikes a week into their war on Friday (June 20, 2025) as President Donald Trump weighed U.S. military involvement and key European ministers met with Iran's top diplomat in Geneva in a scramble to de-escalate the conflict. But the first face-to-face meeting between Western and Iranian officials in the weeklong war concluded after four hours with no sign of an immediate breakthrough. To give diplomacy a chance, Mr. Trump said he would put off deciding for up to two weeks whether to join Israel's air campaign against Iran. U.S. participation would most likely involve strikes against Iran's underground Fordo uranium enrichment facility, considered to be out of reach to all but America's 'bunker-buster' bombs. Whether or not the U.S. joins, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's military operation in Iran would continue 'for as long as it takes' to eliminate what he called the existential threat of Iran's nuclear program and arsenal of ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, Tehran is ready to 'consider diplomacy' again only once Israel's 'aggression is stopped', Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said following talks in Geneva with his European counterparts on Iran's nuclear programme.