Gabbard: Iran Regime Weakened but Still Dangerous

0:00On March 18th, Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, testified to senators that Iran's regime remains in place, but badly weakened from the U.S. military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury. This marked the Trump administration's first major public intelligence update on the war that kicked off in late February, delivered during the Senate. Intelligence committees yearly open hearing on global threats. The session coincided with the release of the office's 2026 annual threat assessment, which covered issues from border security to cyberattacks and missile risks. Senators soon steer the discussion to Iran, probing if the administration's public stance aligns with classified intel while Gabbard stressed the regime and its allies still pose dangers to American and partner targets in the Middle East. Adding to the tension, Joe can resign the day before from his role overseeing the National Counterterrorism Center, after openly questioning the idea of an imminent Iranian threat. His exit fueled lawmakers' concerns about the war's

1:04justification, its goals, and what intelligence guided President Trump's decisions before the strikes began. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia zeroed in on a key mismatch in Gabbard's remarks. Her written statement implied no attempts to restore nuclear enrichment after U.S. hits on facilities, but during testimony she said Iran was working. To recover from the heavy blows, Gabbard chalked it up to tight-time limits, though Warner suggested selective editing to avoid contradicting the President. As the hearing wrapped, Gabbard highlighted ongoing surveillance for signs that Tehan's leaders, current or future, might greenlight a nuclear. Weapons effort, with the conflict dragging on, debates over the administration's narrative and war powers show no signs of fading anytime soon.