Fact Check: Trump claims Iran is 'very close' to nuclear bomb despite intelligence reports
What We Know
In June 2025, President Donald Trump publicly stated that Iran was "very close" to developing a nuclear bomb, contradicting the assessment of U.S. intelligence agencies. Specifically, Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence at the time, testified before Congress that Iran was not actively building a nuclear weapon and that its supreme leader had not reauthorized the nuclear weapons program that was suspended in 2003 (AP News). Despite this, Trump dismissed her assessment, asserting his belief that Iran posed an imminent threat (The Guardian).
The intelligence community's reports indicated that while Iran had enriched uranium to higher levels, it was not currently pursuing the development of a nuclear weapon. However, they acknowledged that Iran had undertaken activities that could position it to produce a weapon if it chose to do so (ABC News).
Analysis
Trump's claim that Iran is "very close" to having a nuclear bomb contrasts sharply with the intelligence community's findings. The Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard, provided a clear statement that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon, which Trump publicly dismissed, indicating a significant divergence between the President's views and the assessments of his own intelligence officials (AP News).
The reliability of the sources involved in this discussion is crucial. Gabbard's position as the Director of National Intelligence lends credibility to her statements, as they are based on comprehensive intelligence assessments. Trump's dismissal of these findings reflects his historical tendency to question intelligence reports that do not align with his narrative, a pattern observed during his first term in office (The Guardian).
Additionally, the broader context of U.S.-Iran relations and Trump's alignment with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has consistently warned about the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, suggests that political motivations may be influencing Trump's rhetoric (AP News).
Conclusion
The claim that Trump stated Iran is "very close" to having a nuclear bomb is True. This assertion directly contradicts the assessments of U.S. intelligence agencies, which have indicated that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon. Trump's statement reflects a significant divergence from established intelligence and suggests a political agenda rather than an accurate representation of Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Sources
- Trump dismisses US spy agencies' assessment on Iran's nuclear program ...
- Iran's Nuclear Weapons Capability and Terrorism Monitoring Act of 2022
- Israel-Iran Live Updates: Trump Says He's Working on ' ...
- Trump swats US intelligence reports on Iran's nuclear ...
- What do we know about Iran's nuclear program amid different assessments
