In a dramatic shift, Tulsi Gabbard claims Iran could create nuclear weapons "within weeks", diverging from her earlier assertion to Congress that it wasn't pursuing them. This aligns her with Donald Trump's warnings about Iran's substantial nuclear material stockpile, igniting renewed debates over U.S. involvement in conflict amid escalated hostilities with Israel.
Tulsi Gabbard Alters Stance on Iran's Nuclear Capability Amidst Rising Tensions
Tulsi Gabbard Alters Stance on Iran's Nuclear Capability Amidst Rising Tensions
Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard now asserts that Iran could be on the verge of producing nuclear weapons, contradicting her previous testimony and aligning with claims from former President Trump.
Tulsi Gabbard, a former U.S. Congresswoman, recently changed her position regarding Iran's nuclear weapons capabilities, stating the country could produce a nuclear weapon "within weeks". This is a stark contrast to her earlier remarks in March when she testified before Congress that Iran was not actively building nuclear weapons, a statement that was later described as misrepresented by the U.S. Director of National Intelligence and labeled as a product of "dishonest media".
Gabbard's newfound assertion comes in the wake of criticisms from former President Donald Trump, who countered her earlier claims. Trump emphasized that intelligence reports indicate Iran possesses a "tremendous amount of material" that could enable them to develop a nuclear weapon in the near future. Despite Iran's long-standing position that its nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes, the escalating rhetoric from U.S. political figures raises significant concerns.
Amid this debate, Trump has mentioned giving Iran a limited timeframe of two weeks to negotiate its nuclear activities, while also contemplating America's potential military response to Israeli strikes against Iranian targets. The disagreements within Trump's "America First" political movement on whether to engage further militarily add to the murky situation.
On Saturday, Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, reiterated that while the country is open to negotiations on its nuclear program, discussions cannot effectively proceed if the Iranian populace is under attack.
In her social media update, Gabbard referenced that U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed Iran's current situation as a serious brink, as the country reportedly sits on an unparalleled stockpile of enriched uranium— a critical element for nuclear armament. Previous assessments had indicated Iran had not resumed its nuclear program since it was suspended in 2003.
As tensions rise, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has voiced concerns over Iran's enriched uranium reserves. Criticism of Gabbard's past statements has emerged, including from Trump who disregarded her views, asserting Iran was “very close” to attaining a nuclear weapon, a scenario the U.S. adamantly opposes.
The situation remains precarious, especially following Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran, leading to significant casualties on both sides and further complicating the negotiations towards a peaceful resolution of Iran's nuclear ambitions. With a potential new chapter unfolding in U.S.-Iran relations, the implications of Gabbard's reversal can have far-reaching consequences on diplomatic efforts and regional stability.
