Tulsi Gabbard Says Iran Not Believed to be Building a Nuclear Weapon

NEWSWEEK -March27th2025

The United States intelligence community has assessed that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon, according to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Speaking before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard stated that the intelligence community “continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not authorized the nuclear weapons program he suspended in 2003.”

Newsweek has reached out to Gabbard and Iran’s foreign ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

Iran’s nuclear program has long been a focal point of U.S. foreign policy, with concerns over regional security and global nonproliferation. Gabbard’s statement comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, ongoing U.S. sanctions, and recent military confrontations involving Israel. President Donald Trump‘s has also instituted a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran over its nuclear program, but the United States has not ruled out military action.

What to Know

According to Gabbard, U.S. intelligence agencies believe that while Iran has expanded its uranium stockpile, it has not taken steps toward assembling a nuclear weapon. She also noted, that Iran’s enriched uranium reserves are at an extreme level for a nation without nuclear weapons, raising concerns among international observers.

“Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile is at its highest levels and is unprecedented for a state without nuclear weapons,” Gabbard said on Tuesday.

Threat Assessment

The DNI’s annual threat assessment, released alongside the hearing, states that Iran aims to strengthen regional influence through its missile program, nuclear advancements, and diplomatic efforts with U.S. rivals.

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