The United States’ top intelligence officials testified before Congress on Wednesday, describing the Iran regime as “intact” but “largely degraded” following sustained US and Israeli strikes during the 12-Day War in June 2025.
Tulsi Gabbard, who oversees the nation’s intelligence operations, appeared alongside the heads of the CIA, FBI, NSA, and the Defense Intelligence Agency. She told lawmakers that US and Israeli strikes had “largely destroyed” Iran’s military capabilities and nuclear enrichment infrastructure.
Gabbard noted that the intelligence community had anticipated potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which has effectively been closed by Iran since the conflict began. She added that the Pentagon had taken pre-emptive measures to protect US interests in the region.
The hearing came one day after Joe Kent resigned, publicly stating that Iran had posed “no imminent threat” to the US and criticising Donald Trump for initiating military action. In contrast, John Ratcliffe testified that Iran had been a constant and immediate threat to the United States.
Gabbard emphasized that Iran continued to refuse compliance with its nuclear obligations while attempting to recover from damage to its nuclear infrastructure. When questioned about omissions in her prepared testimony regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, she said edits were made for brevity, prompting concerns from Democratic senators over transparency and alignment with the president’s statements.
Lawmakers also explored the involvement of intelligence officials in Trump’s decision-making, with Ratcliffe noting he participated in “dozens and dozens” of meetings with the president but could not confirm if final decisions were made in those sessions.
The hearing highlighted US concerns about regional stability, Iran’s attempts to disrupt global energy routes, and the ongoing assessment of Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
