Trump disavows spy chief Gabbard's take on Iran's nuclear program
U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard departs after a closed door meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacanang Palace, Manila, Philippines, June 2, 2025. Ezra Acayan/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that his Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, was wrong in suggesting there is no evidence Iran is building a nuclear weapon.
Trump contested intelligence assessments relayed earlier this year by his spy chief that Tehran was not working on a nuclear weapon when he spoke with reporters at an airport in Morristown, New Jersey.
"She's wrong," Trump said.
Gabbard testified to Congress in March that the U.S. intelligence community continued to judge that Tehran was not working on a nuclear warhead.
Trump's comments came as the president has said he would weigh involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict over the next two weeks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has justified a week of airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets by saying Tehran was on the verge of having a warhead.
Gabbard's office has previously pointed to quotes from the spy chief saying that she and Trump were "on the same page" regarding the status of Iran's nuclear program.
Iran denies developing nuclear weapons, saying its uranium enrichment program was only for peaceful purposes.
A source with access to U.S. intelligence reports told Reuters that the assessment presented by Gabbard had not changed.
They said U.S. spy services also judged that it would take up to three years for Iran to build a warhead with which it could hit a target of its choice.
Some experts, however, believe it could take Iran a much shorter time to build and deliver an untested crude nuclear device, although there would be no guarantee it would work.
Trump has frequently disavowed the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies, which he and his supporters have charged - without providing proof - are part of a "deep state" cabal of U.S. officials opposed to his presidency.
The Republican president repeatedly clashed with U.S. spy agencies during his first term, including over an assessment that Moscow worked to sway the 2016 presidential vote in his favor and his acceptance of Russian President Vladimir Putin's denials.
Gabbard, a fierce Trump loyalist, has been among the president's backers who have aired such allegations. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
25 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Trump floats firing ‘numbskull' Fed chair Jerome Powell
Mr Jerome Powell's term as chairman of the US Federal Reserve does not conclude until next year. PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on June 20 – publicly mulling whether to fire the official and appoint himself to the central bank. The Republican leader, who regularly berates Mr Powell over the bank's decisions not to lower interest rates, took to Truth Social to smear the banker as a 'numbskull,' 'moron' and 'obvious Trump Hater'. 'I fully understand that my strong criticism of him makes it more difficult for him to do what he should be doing, lowering Rates, but I've tried it all different ways,' said Mr Trump, who appointed Mr Powell during his first term. 'I've been nice, I've been neutral, and I've been nasty, and nice and neutral didn't work!' Mr Powell's term does not conclude until next year. He has said his dismissal would be unlawful, and that he has no intention of stepping down voluntarily if Mr Trump asks. 'I don't know why the Board doesn't override this Total and Complete Moron!' Mr Trump posted. 'Maybe, just maybe, I'll have to change my mind about firing him? But regardless, his Term ends shortly!' Mr Trump lashed out after the Fed held interest rates steady for a fourth consecutive meeting on June 18, forecasting higher inflation and cooler growth as Trump's tariffs take hold. The projections were its first since Mr Trump unleashed sweeping 10 per cent tariffs on almost all trading partners in April. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Business Times
an hour ago
- Business Times
Japan scraps US meeting after Washington demands more defence spending: report
[WASHINGTON] Japan has cancelled a regular high-level meeting with its key ally, the United States, after the Trump administration demanded it spend more on defence, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Friday (Jun 20). US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had been expected to meet their Japanese counterparts in Washington on Jul 1 for annual 2+2 security talks. But Tokyo scrapped the meeting after the US side asked Japan to boost defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, higher than an earlier request of 3 per cent, the paper cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter, including two officials in Tokyo, as saying. A US official who did not want to be identified confirmed Japan had 'postponed' the talks but said the decision was made several weeks ago. The source did not cite a reason. A non-government source familiar with the issue said he had also heard Japan had pulled out of the meeting, but not the reason for it doing so. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said she had no comment on the FT report when asked about it at the regular briefing, and the Pentagon also had no immediate comment. Japan's embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The Financial Times said the new higher spending demand was made in recent weeks by Elbridge Colby, the third-most senior Pentagon official, who has also recently upset another key US ally in the Indo-Pacific by launching a review of a project to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. In March, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that other nations do not decide Japan's defence budget after Colby called in his nomination hearing to be under secretary of defence for policy, for Tokyo to spend more to counter China. Japan and other US allies have been engaged in difficult trade talks with the United States over US President Donald Trump's worldwide tariff offensive. The FT said the decision to cancel the Jul 1 meeting was also related to Japan's Jul 20 Upper House elections, at which the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is expected to suffer a loss of seats. It comes ahead of a meeting of the US-led Nato alliance in Europe next week, at which Trump is expected to press his demand that European allies boost their defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP. REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Vance, in Los Angeles, says troops need to stay, blasts Newsom over immigration
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance's motorcade leaves the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance's motorcade arrives at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci U.S. Vice President JD Vance greets U.S. Marines at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Daniel Cole U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance's motorcade arrives at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci Vance, in Los Angeles, says troops need to stay, blasts Newsom over immigration LOS ANGELES - Republican Vice President JD Vance on Friday met troops who have been deployed in Los Angeles to quell protests against immigration raids, as he accused Democratic state and city leaders of encouraging immigrants to cross the U.S. border illegally. Vance, who met some of the 700 U.S. Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops recently deployed to Los Angeles by President Donald Trump, also accused the Democratic leaders of failing to support local law enforcement. Trump deployed the California National Guard troops to Los Angeles earlier this month, against the wishes of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, to quell protests triggered by immigration raids on workplaces by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. A U.S. appeals court on Thursday let Trump retain control of California's National Guard. Trump's decision to send troops into Los Angeles prompted a national debate about the use of the military on U.S. soil and inflamed political tension in the country's second most-populous city. Vance said the court's decision made clear that Trump's troop deployment "was a completely legitimate and proper use of federal law enforcement." Vance gave no indication of when the Marines and National Guard would leave Los Angeles, and hinted that they might stay in the city for some time. "The soldiers and Marines are still very much a necessary part of what's going on here, because they're worried that it's going to flare back up," Vance said. He accused Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of failing to crack down on people in the city illegally, and of failing to support local and state law enforcement. "They have treated Border Patrol and border enforcement as somehow an illegitimate force, instead of what they are, which is the American people's law enforcement trying to enforce the American people's laws," he said. Newsom is tipped to mount a presidential bid in 2028, and could conceivably face off against Vance. Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for Newsom, called Vance's claim "categorically false." "The Governor has consistently condemned violence and has made his stance clear," she said. She cited posts Newsom made on X, including one on June 9 when he said, "Foolish agitators who take advantage of Trump's chaos will be held accountable." Newsom has said Trump's deployment of troops exacerbated the protests, increased tensions and is unconstitutional. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
