Tulsi Gabbard & Iran: Discord in Trump Admin Over Nuclear Threat?
Colaboradores
Tensions are simmering within the Trump administration over Iran, particularly concerning differing views on its nuclear capabilities. Recent reports highlight a growing disconnect between President Trump and his Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, regarding the imminence of Iran developing a nuclear weapon.
Gabbard's Assessment Contrasts Trump's Stance
Gabbard testified to Congress in March that the U.S. intelligence community did not believe Iran was actively pursuing a nuclear weapon. This assessment directly contradicted claims made by Israel and, more recently, by President Trump himself. When questioned about Gabbard's testimony, Trump responded tersely, stating, "I don’t care what she said. I think they were very close to having one." This public disagreement has fueled speculation about Gabbard's standing within the administration.
White House Sources Indicate Growing Disillusionment
Sources within the West Wing suggest a shift in attitude towards Gabbard. While previously described as someone the President liked and enjoyed being around, she is now viewed by some as "off message," particularly concerning the conflict in the Middle East. One senior White House advisor pointed to a video Gabbard posted warning of nuclear annihilation, blaming “political elite and warmongers” for escalating tensions, as a point of contention.
Iran's Fordow Nuclear Facility Under Scrutiny
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the ongoing focus on Iran's nuclear facilities, particularly the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. Located deep underground, Fordow is considered significantly harder to target than the Natanz facility, which was recently reportedly hit by Israel. Speculation continues to mount regarding potential US involvement in supplying weapons capable of striking Fordow, raising concerns about further escalation in the region.
- Fordow was originally built as a military facility.
- It's located 30km northeast of Qom and hundreds of meters inside a mountain.
- IAEA inspectors have found particles of uranium purified to near weapons-grade purity at Fordow.
The contrasting viewpoints within the Trump administration, coupled with the volatile situation surrounding Iran's nuclear program, create a complex and potentially dangerous geopolitical landscape. The future of Gabbard's role and the direction of U.S. policy towards Iran remain uncertain.