Tulsi Gabbard Warns Iran May Build Nuclear Bomb Soon

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Photo: AP

Tulsi Gabbard, a former U.S. Congresswoman, recently warned that Iran could build a nuclear bomb in just a few weeks. This is different from what she said a few months ago in front of Congress, where she stated that Iran had the materials but was not making nuclear weapons.

Some media reports shared only part of what she said in March, which made it seem like she was wrong. The U.S. Director of National Intelligence said her earlier statement was taken out of context by "dishonest media."

After former President Donald Trump said Gabbard was “wrong,” she shared a new post on social media. In her post, she said U.S. intelligence now shows Iran is at the stage where it could build a nuclear weapon within weeks or months. She also said she agrees with Trump that this should not happen.

In the video she posted, Gabbard included her full testimony from March. In that video, she clearly said Iran had not restarted its nuclear weapons program that was suspended in 2003. However, she also admitted that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium was at a very high level. Enriched uranium can be used for nuclear power, but it can also be used to make nuclear bombs.

Gabbard had also said in March that the amount of uranium Iran has is "unprecedented for a country that does not have nuclear weapons." Earlier this month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also said it is concerned about the amount of enriched uranium Iran has now.

Trump has strongly disagreed with Gabbard’s earlier comments. He said he does not care what she said and that Iran is very close to making a nuclear weapon. Trump warned that he would not allow this to happen. He also said that Iran has just two weeks to agree to a new deal with the U.S. about its nuclear plans. Trump added that he is thinking about joining Israel in airstrikes against Iran.

There is also a growing disagreement among Trump's own supporters. Some in his “America First” movement are unsure if the U.S. should take part in the war between Israel and Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said his country is ready to talk and make a peaceful deal. But he said they can’t have talks while their people are being bombed.

Back in 2015, Iran had agreed to limit its nuclear program as part of a deal with world powers. But things changed this month after Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on June 13. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said those strikes hit the center of Iran’s nuclear program.

Netanyahu also warned that if Iran is not stopped, it could quickly build a nuclear bomb. Israel’s strikes have destroyed military facilities and killed several senior Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists.

Iran’s health ministry said at least 430 people have died in the attacks. A human rights group gave a higher number — 657 people killed by Friday. In response, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel, killing 25 people, including one person who died of a heart attack.