Iran can still attack US interests, government appears intact, spy chief Gabbard says
If a hostile regime survives, it will seek to begin a years-long effort to rebuild its missiles and drone forces, she told US lawmakers
Iran’s government has been degraded since the war began on February 28, but it appears to be intact and Tehran and its proxies remain capable of attacking US and allies’ interests in the Middle East, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Wednesday.
“The regime in Iran appears to be intact but largely degraded by Operation Epic Fury,” Gabbard said, referring to the US-Israel military campaign against Iran, in her opening statement to the Senate Intelligence Committee’s annual hearing on Worldwide Threats to the United States.
“Even so, Iran and its proxies remain capable of and continue to attack US and allied interests in the Middle East. If a hostile regime survives, it will seek to begin a years-long effort to rebuild its missiles and UAV [drone] forces,” Gabbard said.
The 2½-hour hearing was the first significant public appearance since the start of the war by Gabbard, who has kept a low profile for months.
The hearing identified China, Russia, North Korea and Iran as top adversaries, but largely focused on the Iran war, now in its third week.
US lawmakers – including some of President Donald Trump’s Republicans as well as Democrats – have said they want more information about a campaign that has killed thousands of people, disrupted the lives of millions and shaken energy and stock markets.