Gabbard says Iran’s regime ‘degraded,’ won’t say it posed imminent threat
U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated that while Iran’s regime is degraded, it remains intact and capable of attacking U.S. interests in the Middle East.
In a recent Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard assessed the situation regarding Iran's regime, indicating it has been significantly degraded since the onset of the military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury, which is a collaboration between the U.S. and Israel. Despite the degradation, Gabbard emphasized that the Iranian government appears to be intact and still possesses the capacity to launch attacks on U.S. and allied interests in the region.
Gabbard highlighted that the potential for Iran to recover and rebuild its military capabilities remains a significant concern. She pointed out that if the regime endures beyond its current state, it will likely initiate efforts to restore its missile and drone forces, which could pose long-term threats. This assessment underscores the strategic implications of the ongoing military operations in the region, particularly concerning the stability and security of U.S. interests in the Middle East.
When pressed by senators on whether Iran currently posed an imminent threat, Gabbard refrained from confirming such a threat, instead referencing the lack of concrete evidence indicating that the Iranian regime was actively seeking to escalate hostilities against the United States. This cautious approach highlights the complexity of the U.S. intelligence community's position regarding Iran, balancing between acknowledging risks and not inflaming tensions unnecessarily.