Democratic lawmakers pressed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard over the White House claim that Iran posed an imminent nuclear threat prior to military strikes on its nuclear facilities. The questioning followed her testimony that Iran had not attempted to rebuild its nuclear enrichment program since last year’s war with Israel, during which the United States targeted Iranian nuclear sites.

During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Gabbard said the intelligence community assessed that Iran maintained the intention to rebuild and expand its nuclear enrichment capabilities. Senator Jon Ossoff challenged her on how an intention to rebuild could justify the conclusion that Iran posed an imminent threat, particularly after the administration asserted that previous strikes had completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear program.

Gabbard responded that the president is the only person who can determine what constitutes an imminent threat, based on the intelligence provided. Ossoff rejected that argument, noting that the hearing was focused on global threats and that she had pledged to present the intelligence community’s own assessment of those dangers.