WASHINGTON, D.C. — National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers the Iranian regime “appears to be intact but largely degraded” as she testifies on Capitol Hill about the conflict in the Middle East.
Gabbard is testifying Thursday before the House Intelligence Committee, a day after a tense hearing with the Senate Intelligence Committee.
During Wednesday’s Senate hearing, Democratic Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff pressed Gabbard on the start of the conflict.
“Was it the Intelligence Community’s assessment that nevertheless, despite this obliteration, there was a quote ‘imminent nuclear threat posed by the Iranian regime.’ Yes or no?” Ossoff asked.
“It is not the Intelligence Community’s responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent threat,” Gabbard replied.
Gabbard also said Tehran was “trying to recover” from damage caused by U.S. bombings of nuclear facilities in the country last summer.
A written statement released prior to the hearing indicated she was expected to say the Iranians had made “no efforts” to rebuild.