Gabbard tells senators Iranian regime is degraded but still intact

"Iran and its proxies continue to attack U.S. and allied interests in the Middle East even after setbacks leading up to, and following, the start of the war. After the U.S. military bombed Iran's nuclear sites over the summer, Tehran was trying to recover from the severe damage caused by the operation."

"According to her written statement, Gabbard was expected to say that the Iranians had made no efforts since the U.S. bombing of their nuclear facilities to try to rebuild their enrichment capability. That statement appeared to undercut assertions made by the administration, which has cited Iran's nuclear program as one reason President Donald Trump felt an imperative to start the war."

"When Sen. Mark R. Warner asked Gabbard why she deviated from her written remarks, she told him that she had skipped some portions as the time was running long. Warner then accused her of having chosen to omit the parts that contradict the president."

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified before the Senate that Iran's regime appears degraded but largely intact following nearly three weeks of Middle East conflict. Her testimony came after Joe Kent, a senior political appointee at the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned and cast doubt on the administration's case for the war. Gabbard stated that Iran and its proxies continue attacking U.S. and allied interests despite setbacks. Notably, she deviated from her prepared remarks regarding Iran's nuclear capability, stating Tehran was recovering from severe damage caused by U.S. military bombing of nuclear sites. Her written statement indicated Iran made no efforts to rebuild enrichment capability, potentially contradicting administration assertions that Iran's nuclear program justified military action.

Read at The Washington Post