Fact Check: Trump claims Iran is 'very close' to a nuclear bomb
What We Know
On June 16, 2025, President Donald Trump stated that Iran is "very close" to having a nuclear bomb, contradicting the assessments of U.S. intelligence agencies. According to the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, Iran was not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon, and its supreme leader had not reauthorized the nuclear weapons program that was suspended in 2003. Gabbard testified that while Iran had enriched uranium to unprecedented levels for a non-nuclear state, it was not building a bomb (AP News).
Despite this, Trump maintained his position, suggesting that Iran's uranium enrichment activities were a cause for concern and that they could lead to the development of a nuclear weapon. He emphasized the need for a "real end" to Iran's nuclear program and aligned his views more closely with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has consistently warned about the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran (Washington Post).
Analysis
Trump's claim that Iran is "very close" to a nuclear bomb is a significant departure from the consensus of U.S. intelligence, which has stated that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon. Gabbard's testimony to Congress indicated that while Iran's uranium enrichment levels were concerning, they did not equate to an active nuclear weapons program (AP News).
Moreover, a senior intelligence official noted that while Iran's enrichment activities exceed what would be necessary for peaceful purposes, there is no definitive timeline provided for how quickly they could assemble a bomb (AP News). This discrepancy between Trump's statements and the intelligence community's assessments raises questions about the reliability of his claim.
Critically, Trump's history of dismissing intelligence assessments that do not align with his views, often labeling them as part of a "deep state," further complicates the credibility of his assertions (AP News). The context of his statements, made during a period of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, suggests that political motivations may influence his rhetoric.
Conclusion
The claim that Iran is "very close" to developing a nuclear bomb is True in the sense that while Iran has significantly advanced its uranium enrichment capabilities, it is not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon according to U.S. intelligence assessments. Trump's statements reflect a heightened concern over Iran's nuclear potential but do not align with the consensus of intelligence officials who assert that Iran is not currently building a bomb. Thus, while there is a basis for concern regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities, the assertion that they are "very close" to a nuclear bomb is misleading without proper context.
