Trump Edits Video, Claims Iran Close to Nuclear Weapon, Says cnn news
The edited video has raised concerns about the integrity of intelligence analysis and the objectivity of the Trump administration. As the situation continues to unfold, lawmakers and intelligence officials are left wondering about the accuracy of Trump's claims and the potential consequences of his actions. The conflicting views on Iran's nuclear capabilities have significant implications for US foreign policy and national security.
President Donald Trump has edited a video of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to make her appear to support his stance on Iran, despite her previous testimony that Iran is not close to developing a nuclear weapon. Trump claims Iran is "very close to having" a nuclear weapon, contradicting his own government's assessment that Iran is still years away from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
The video clip conveniently leaves out Gabbard's statement that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and that Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized the nuclear weapons program. Trump's Iran policy is at odds with the U.S. intelligence community, and he has ignored the advice of his own intelligence officials. The White House has also released a video of Trump's conversation with Gabbard, in which he says he "didn't care" about his own government's assessment of Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Gabbard has caved to Trump's pressure, saying that he was "saying the same thing that I said in my annual threat assessment back in March." However, US intelligence officials have consistently said that Iran has not made a decision to build nuclear weapons and has stockpiles of enriched uranium for civilian purposes. The intelligence community's view has not changed since March, when Director of National Intelligence told lawmakers that Iran has not made a decision to build nuclear weapons.
The controversy surrounding Trump's handling of the Iran situation has sparked criticism from some Republicans, including Senator Josh Hawley, who have expressed opposition to his current and potential further support of Israel's war on Iran. The dispute highlights the ongoing tension between Trump and the US intelligence community over Iran's nuclear progress.