Gabbard sidesteps Iran ‘imminent threat’ claim under Senate grilling
Same show, different day.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declined to say whether intelligence showed that Iran posed an "imminent threat" to the U.S. prior to the launch of recent offensive operations, as President Donald Trump repeatedly has asserted.
"Was it the assessment of the intelligence community that there was an ‘imminent nuclear threat’ posed by the Iranian regime? Yes or no?" Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., asked Gabbard during the Senate Intelligence Committee’s annual worldwide threats hearing Wednesday.
"The only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the president," Gabbard said.
TRUMP RESURFACES OLD TWEET FROM INTEL OFFICIAL WHO RESIGNED
The White House has repeatedly argued Iran’s nuclear stockpiles and ballistic missile capacity pose an imminent threat to the U.S.
"Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," Trump said March 1.
Ossoff pressed Gabbard further Wednesday: "Was it the intelligence community’s assessment … there was an ‘imminent nuclear threat’? Yes or no?"
"It is not the intelligence community’s responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent threat," Gabbard said.
Gabbard highlighted the impact of U.S. operations in Iran.
"The IC assesses that Operation Epic Fury is advancing fundamental change in the region," she said. Iran’s "conventional military power projection capabilities have largely been destroyed, leaving limited options. Iran’s strategic position has been significantly degraded."
Her refusal to directly answer comes one day after Trump’s director at the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, resigned after publicly stating he did not believe Iran posed an imminent threat.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe struck a more assertive tone at the hearing.
"Is there anything to indicate that Iran had ceased in its nuclear ambitions or in its desire to continue to build ballistic missiles capable of threatening American troops and allies in the Middle East?" Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, asked him.
"No. In fact, the intelligence reflects the contrary," Ratcliffe said.
"So you disagree with Mr. Kent?" Cornyn asked.
"I do," Ratcliffe said.
TRUMP BIDS GOODBYE TO INTEL OFFICIAL WHO RESIGNED OVER IRAN: 'GOOD THING THAT HE'S OUT'
"I think Iran has been a constant threat to the United States for an extended period of time and posed an immediate threat at this time," he later added.
Top administration officials have argued that Iran was building up its missile stockpiles to a point where foreign powers could no longer effectively intervene.
Iran …
Same show, different day.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declined to say whether intelligence showed that Iran posed an "imminent threat" to the U.S. prior to the launch of recent offensive operations, as President Donald Trump repeatedly has asserted.
"Was it the assessment of the intelligence community that there was an ‘imminent nuclear threat’ posed by the Iranian regime? Yes or no?" Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., asked Gabbard during the Senate Intelligence Committee’s annual worldwide threats hearing Wednesday.
"The only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the president," Gabbard said.
TRUMP RESURFACES OLD TWEET FROM INTEL OFFICIAL WHO RESIGNED
The White House has repeatedly argued Iran’s nuclear stockpiles and ballistic missile capacity pose an imminent threat to the U.S.
"Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," Trump said March 1.
Ossoff pressed Gabbard further Wednesday: "Was it the intelligence community’s assessment … there was an ‘imminent nuclear threat’? Yes or no?"
"It is not the intelligence community’s responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent threat," Gabbard said.
Gabbard highlighted the impact of U.S. operations in Iran.
"The IC assesses that Operation Epic Fury is advancing fundamental change in the region," she said. Iran’s "conventional military power projection capabilities have largely been destroyed, leaving limited options. Iran’s strategic position has been significantly degraded."
Her refusal to directly answer comes one day after Trump’s director at the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, resigned after publicly stating he did not believe Iran posed an imminent threat.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe struck a more assertive tone at the hearing.
"Is there anything to indicate that Iran had ceased in its nuclear ambitions or in its desire to continue to build ballistic missiles capable of threatening American troops and allies in the Middle East?" Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, asked him.
"No. In fact, the intelligence reflects the contrary," Ratcliffe said.
"So you disagree with Mr. Kent?" Cornyn asked.
"I do," Ratcliffe said.
TRUMP BIDS GOODBYE TO INTEL OFFICIAL WHO RESIGNED OVER IRAN: 'GOOD THING THAT HE'S OUT'
"I think Iran has been a constant threat to the United States for an extended period of time and posed an immediate threat at this time," he later added.
Top administration officials have argued that Iran was building up its missile stockpiles to a point where foreign powers could no longer effectively intervene.
Iran …
Gabbard sidesteps Iran ‘imminent threat’ claim under Senate grilling
Same show, different day.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declined to say whether intelligence showed that Iran posed an "imminent threat" to the U.S. prior to the launch of recent offensive operations, as President Donald Trump repeatedly has asserted.
"Was it the assessment of the intelligence community that there was an ‘imminent nuclear threat’ posed by the Iranian regime? Yes or no?" Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., asked Gabbard during the Senate Intelligence Committee’s annual worldwide threats hearing Wednesday.
"The only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the president," Gabbard said.
TRUMP RESURFACES OLD TWEET FROM INTEL OFFICIAL WHO RESIGNED
The White House has repeatedly argued Iran’s nuclear stockpiles and ballistic missile capacity pose an imminent threat to the U.S.
"Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," Trump said March 1.
Ossoff pressed Gabbard further Wednesday: "Was it the intelligence community’s assessment … there was an ‘imminent nuclear threat’? Yes or no?"
"It is not the intelligence community’s responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent threat," Gabbard said.
Gabbard highlighted the impact of U.S. operations in Iran.
"The IC assesses that Operation Epic Fury is advancing fundamental change in the region," she said. Iran’s "conventional military power projection capabilities have largely been destroyed, leaving limited options. Iran’s strategic position has been significantly degraded."
Her refusal to directly answer comes one day after Trump’s director at the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, resigned after publicly stating he did not believe Iran posed an imminent threat.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe struck a more assertive tone at the hearing.
"Is there anything to indicate that Iran had ceased in its nuclear ambitions or in its desire to continue to build ballistic missiles capable of threatening American troops and allies in the Middle East?" Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, asked him.
"No. In fact, the intelligence reflects the contrary," Ratcliffe said.
"So you disagree with Mr. Kent?" Cornyn asked.
"I do," Ratcliffe said.
TRUMP BIDS GOODBYE TO INTEL OFFICIAL WHO RESIGNED OVER IRAN: 'GOOD THING THAT HE'S OUT'
"I think Iran has been a constant threat to the United States for an extended period of time and posed an immediate threat at this time," he later added.
Top administration officials have argued that Iran was building up its missile stockpiles to a point where foreign powers could no longer effectively intervene.
Iran …
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