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Pakistan among top nuclear threats to America, US intelligence chief tells senate
Speaking before a Senate panel, Gabbard said the U.S. intelligence community is increasingly concerned about the growing missile capabilities of several countries, including Pakistan and Iran.
U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers that Pakistan ranks among the most significant nuclear threats to the United States, placing it alongside Russia, China and North Korea.
Speaking before a Senate panel, Gabbard said the U.S. intelligence community is increasingly concerned about the growing missile capabilities of several countries, including Pakistan and Iran.
“The intelligence community assesses that Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan have been developing a range of advanced and traditional missile systems capable of carrying nuclear or conventional payloads that could reach the U.S. homeland,” she said.
Gabbard warned that the number of missiles capable of striking the United States is expected to rise sharply in the coming years, projecting an increase from roughly 3,000 today to more than 16,000 by 2035.
In her testimony, she also highlighted deepening ties between North Korea, Russia and China, suggesting growing strategic coordination among U.S. adversaries that could further complicate global security dynamics.
Addressing the ongoing conflict with Iran, Gabbard said U.S. military operations have significantly weakened Tehran’s capabilities. While the Iranian government remains in place, she described its military infrastructure as “largely degraded,” noting that it could take years for Iran to rebuild its missile and drone programs if the current leadership endures.
She added that Iran’s nuclear enrichment program had been “obliterated” by U.S. strikes in 2025, though she cautioned that Tehran may gradually attempt to restore its military strength over time.
Beyond state actors, Gabbard identified extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS as the most significant threats to U.S. interests overseas, particularly in parts of Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.
The assessment comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and follows the recent resignation of a senior U.S. security official linked to the ongoing Iran conflict. The White House reaffirmed its support for Gabbard, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that President Donald Trump retains “full confidence” in the intelligence chief.