Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard refused to say whether intelligence had indicated Iran posed an “imminent nuclear threat” when asked by lawmakers during a Senate Intelligence Committee briefing Wednesday.
“The only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the President,” Gabbard told lawmakers.
In her written opening statement, Gabbard said Iran had not attempted to rebuild its nuclear enrichment program after the U.S. destroyed it in missile strikes last summer – prompting lawmakers to ask why the administration assumed there was a threat now.
Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe also assured senators they both had been in multiple meetings with the president in the weeks leading up to the decision to conduct strikes on Iran but declined to say what information the president was given specifically.
FBI Director Kash Patel, Defense Intelligence Agency Director James Adams III and Acting Director of the National Security Agency William Hartman also appeared before Congress.
The hearing comes less than a day after Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned from his position, citing the Iran war.
Key Points
- Watch Live: Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard testify to Congress about Iran war
- Gabbard praises Iran war for degrading regime but warns its still capable of attacks
- Iran had not tried to rebuild nuclear facilities after military strikes last year, Gabbard indicated
- CIA Director says Iran could develop ballistic missiles that could reach Europe
- Only Trump can determine 'imminent' nuclear threat: Gabbard
Live blog coverage has ended
18:29 , Jasmine FernándezThe Independent’s live blog on the Senate Intelligence Committee has ended.
'We can walk and chew gum at the same time': CIA chief claims Iran war will not affect US policy in Ukraine
17:30 , Independent VideoCIA director says Iran is ‘requesting’ intelligence from Russia and China
17:10 , Ariana BaioRatcliffe said Wednesday that Iran was “requesting intelligence assistance” from U.S. adversaries such as Russia and China.
“Whether or not those countries are, is something we can talk about in the classified portion,” Ratcliffe said, referring to the closed-door briefing.
Trump asked Gabbard to oversee election ballot raid the day it happened
17:07 , Ariana BaioWhen pressed with a series of questions about her role in the FBI’s raid on an election office in Georgia, Gabbard said the president requested her presence at the raid the day of.
“When did the president request your presence at the raid?” Senator Ossoff asked Gabbard.
“The day of the raid,” Gabbard responded, declining to say how the president asked her.
The director of national intelligence also said she did not handle any election ballots.
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Analysis | Unlike Trump, Iran’s regime has been plotting this war for decades
17:00 , Sam KileyTehran knew that Israel planned to lead American attempts to destroy its theocracy by using its staggering levels of air power.
The result, nearly three weeks into the air war against Iran, is that its headless government lives on.
It has been planning for the moment when Iran’s leadership was, literally, wiped out and decapitated with a system to devolve, delegate and disperse its decision makers
Read more from The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley:
Unlike Trump, Iran’s regime has been plotting this war for decades
Gabbard says only Trump can determine 'imminent' nuclear threat
16:48 , Ariana BaioThe Director of National Intelligence insisted to lawmakers that the intelligence community only gathers information about potential threats and that the president determines whether or not it is imminent.
“The intelligence community has provided the inputs that make up this annual threat assessment,” Gabbard said in response to a question about whether Iran posed an imminent nuclear threat.
“It is the nature of the imminent threat that the President has to make that determination,” she added.
Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff disputed Gabbard’s statement, claiming it was her responsibility to determine what was imminent.
Trump fundraising email that used image of dignified transfer dubbed 'disgrace' by Democratic senator
16:45 , Ariana BaioDemocratic Senator Jon Ossoff reiterated his disdain for a fundraising email that promised donors a spot on a national security briefing team, calling it “a disgrace.”
Calling attention to the email, Ossoff said it used a photo of Trump at the dignified transfer ceremony with an American flag draped over a coffin of a service member killed in action.
“The American people need to know that the President is fundraising for his political campaign and his pack is using images of American service members killed in action, and it's a disgrace,” Ossoff said.
Hearing is adjourned
16:31 , Ariana BaioThe annual intelligence hearing on global threats has been adjourned.
Lawmakers will now receive a closed-door briefing on classified matters.
Intelligence official put on spot when asked 'will air power alone' destroy Iranian regime
16:30 , Ariana BaioWhen asked whether the U.S. could defeat the Iranian regime with air power alone, Lt. Gen. James Adams, the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, said he did not want to speculate on what could be required.
“The capabilities that our Joint Force brings to bear can accomplish many missions to forecast exactly what can and can't accomplish this goal. I’d prefer not to guess or prognosticate on that.”
Intelligence officials decline to say what they briefed Trump on before attacks
16:27 , Ariana BaioGabbard and Ratcliffe declined to tell lawmakers what information Trump was given about the risks of closing the Strait of Hormuz before he chose to conduct strikes on Iran.
“I'm not going to comment on what the president did or didn't ask me on any topic,” Gabbard told Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat.
Kelly expressed frustration over the lack of details: “We're having a hard time finding out if the White House even asked if they could be briefed on something
Senator says Hatch Act should prevent Trump-linked fundraising emails from promising national security membership
16:10 , Ariana BaioDemocratic Senator Mark Kelly asked Gabbard and Ratcliffe to comment on a recent fundraising email sent from a Trump-affiliated PAC that promised donors a “National Security Briefing Membership.”
“As a National Security Briefing Member, you'll receive my private national security briefings, unfiltered updates on the threats facing America,” the email said. “The straight truth on border invasions, foreign adversaries, deep state sabotage, and every danger the fake news hides.”
Both Gabbard and Ratcliffe declined to comment. Ratcliffe cited the Hatch Act as his reason for not responding.
“I agree with you, Director Ratcliffe, that the Hatch Act should prohibit this kind of conduct,” Kelly said.
Intelligence official were aware Iran would use Strait of Hormuz as leverage
15:46 , Ariana BaioWhen asked if intelligence community officials briefed Trump on the risks of going to war with Iran before he approved the strikes, Gabbard told lawmakers that the intelligence had been long-standing.
“This has long been an assessment of the [intelligence community] that Iran would likely hold the Strait of Hormuz, as leverage,” Gabbard said.
Ratcliffe says Iran had plans to hit 'energy sites' in the US
15:33 , Ariana BaioRatcliffe said he had multiple meetings with Trump in the two weeks leading up to the president’s decision to strike Iran and that there was intelligence to indicate Iran planned an attack.
“Iran had specific plans to hit US interests in energy sites across the region, and that's why the Department of War and the Department of State took measures for force protection and personnel protection,” Ratcliffe says
CIA director says intelligence contradicts Joe Kent’s statement about Iran war
15:23 , Ariana BaioRatcliffe told senators that intelligence about Iran contradicted statements made by Joe Kent, the outgoing Director of the National Counterterrorism Center.
“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?" Republican Senator John Cornyn asked.
“Senator, no,” Ratclife responded. "In fact, intelligence reflects the contrary. So with Mr. Kent, I do. I would think any fair-minded assessment of the situation, even based on open sources, would reflect the danger Iran poses the regime poses to the United States.”
Gabbard defends her presence at FBI raid of election office in Georgia
15:11 , Ariana Baio“I did not participate in a law enforcement activity, nor would I. Because that does not exist in my authority,” Gabbard told the top Democrat on the committee, when asked why she was present at the FBI’s raid of the Fulton County election office.
“I was at Fulton County at the request of the president and to work with the FBI to observe this action that had long been awaited.”
CIA Director says Iran could develop ballistic missiles that could reach Europe
15:07 , Ariana BaioCIA Director John Ratcliffe told lawmakers that they were “right” to be concerned about Iran developing longer-range ballistic missiles, but did not say whether the country was remotely close to building such weapons.
"Well, you're right to be concerned about Iran's development of longer-range ballistic missiles. If Iran were allowed to develop at the [Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile] ranges, which is 3000 kilometers, it would threaten most of Europe,” Ratcliffe said.
The CIA Director said Iran was “gaining experience” in developing the technology, but did not comment on whether assessments that it could occur in six months were correct.
Gabbard wrote Iran had not tried to rebuild nuclear facilities after military strikes last year
14:57 , Ariana Baio“As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran’s nuclear enrichment program was obliterated,” Gabbard wrote in her opening statement to lawmakers, referencing the nuclear strikes that occurred last summer.
“There has been no efforts since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability. The entrances to the underground facilities that were bombed have been buried and shuttered with cement,” Gabbard added.
While this was written in Gabbard’s opening statement, she did not speak it, claiming she was trying to save time on her opening statement.
Gabbard praises Iran war for degrading regime but warns its capable of attacks
14:47 , Ariana BaioIn lengthy opening remarks, Gabbard praised Operation Epic Fury for “largely” degrading the Iranian regime, economy and “strategic position.”
“Even if the regime remains intact, internal tensions are likely to increase as Iran’s economy worsens,” Gabbard said.
But she contended that Iran and its proxies are still capable of attacking the US or allies in the Middle East.
“If a hostile regime survives, it will seek to begin a yearslong effort to rebuild its missiles and UAV forces,” Gabbard said.
Ranking Democrat raises concerns with Gabbard’s involvement in election probe
14:38 , Ariana BaioIn his opening statements, Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the committee, raised concerns with Gabbard’s involvement in the Fulton County election ballot probe, saying she has not responded to requests for briefings on threats to the midterms.
“The committee has repeatedly requested briefings from the [Intelligence Community]. Briefings that are required by law, on legitimate foreign threats to the midterms. We have received no response,” Warner said.
Tom Cotton begins by praising Trump administration for Iran and Venezeula
14:12 , Ariana BaioSenator Tom Cotton, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, began Wednesday’s hearing by praising the Trump administration for securing U.S. safety by conducting missile strikes on Iran and capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Watch Live: Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard testify to Congress about Iran war
14:00 , Independent VideoSenate Intelligence Chair says intelligence gathering has been successful
13:41 , Ariana BaioSenator Tom Cotton, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Wednesday morning that the hearing was “a very important occasion” so intelligence officials can tell Americans how they’re making the country a safer place.
“What we’re going to her today is that while the world’s still a dangerous place, it’s safer for America than it was a year ago thanks to President Trump’s leadership,” Cotton told Fox News.
“These agencies have undergone a lot of reforms in the last year, to get back to their core mission of collecting intelligence that helps us protect our nation.”
Another anti-war message from Tulsi Gabbard surfaces as she emerges to defend Iran war
13:26 , Joe SommerladA resurfaced tweet posted by Gabbard on May 16, 2019, when she was a Hawaii Democratic congresswoman running to be that party’s presidential nominee, finds her attacking Trump for sabre-rattling against Tehran during his first term.
“Trump promised to get the U.S. out of ‘stupid wars,’” she wrote. “But now he and [then-national security adviser] John Bolton are on the brink of launching us into a very stupid and costly war with Iran. Join me in sending a strong message to President Trump: The U.S. must NOT go to war with Iran.”
Read more here:
Tulsi Gabbard haunted by past opposition to ‘stupid and costly’ Iran war
Trump insists Iran is the 'Number one' state sponsor of terrorism
13:09 , Ariana BaioPresident Donald Trump said Wednesday, ahead of the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, that Iran was the “NUMBER ONE” state sponsor of terrorism.
“Remember, for all of those absolute ‘fools’ out there, Iran is considered, by everyone, to be the NUMBER ONE STATE SPONSOR OF TERROR. We are rapidly putting them out of business!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Democratic lawmakers have expressed intense skepticism over the president’s justification for going to war.
Read the scathing resignation letter from Trump’s now former counterterrorism chief
12:40 , Paul FarrellThe director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, announced his sudden resignation on Tuesday, citing his concerns about President Donald Trump’s strikes in Iran.
Kent, 45, said he “cannot in good conscience” back the administration’s war.
A former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists, Kent was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.
As head of the National Counterterrorism Center, he oversaw an agency tasked with analyzing and detecting terrorist threats.
Read it here:
Read the scathing resignation letter from Trump’s now former counterterrorism chief
Welcome to The Independent's live blog
12:35 , Ariana BaioWelcome to The Independent’s live blog, where we will be covering the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Kash Patel, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and other officials will be testifying about intelligence that led to the Iran war.
