Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard faced sharp questioning during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing after omitting a key line from her prepared testimony about Iran’s nuclear program. The missing passage stated that Operation Midnight Hammer had 'obliterated' Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities and that Tehran had made no effort to rebuild them. Gabbard said she skipped the section because she was running out of time.

Democratic lawmakers pressed her on whether Iran currently poses an imminent threat and why the administration maintains that the country’s nuclear program was destroyed while the United States remains at war over the issue. Gabbard responded that Iran had been attempting to recover from severe damage to its nuclear infrastructure and said only the President can determine what constitutes an imminent threat.

During the hearing, Gabbard also warned that several global rivals, including Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan, are advancing missile systems capable of carrying nuclear and conventional weapons that could reach the American homeland. The session came amid the resignation of the head of the National Counterterrorism Center, who stepped down in opposition to the war with Iran.