Bloomberg News (clips)

Tulsi Gabbard Dodges Questions on the ‘Imminent Threat’ of Iran

Tulsi Gabbard faced a line of probing questions about whether the president had been warned of an imminent Iranian threat to the Strait of Hormuz, and she repeatedly sidestepped direct answers. The exchange, captured in a congressional hearing transcript, centered on whether intelligence officials had briefed the president that Iran might strike neighboring Gulf states if the United States pursued a "war of choice." Gabbard repeatedly asserted she was "not aware" of any specific presidential remarks or intelligence assessments indicating an imminent Iranian move. She explained that portions of her oral remarks were omitted for time, but declined to confirm whether those omitted sections contradicted the president’s statements. When asked if she had provided any intelligence suggesting Iran would act, she responded that no such brief was disclosed and that she would not reveal internal conversations. Notable quotes include, "I am not aware of those remarks," and, "I will say that those of us within the intelligence community continue to provide the president with all of the best objective intelligence available to inform his decisions." The language is deliberately evasive, emphasizing a lack of concrete knowledge while reaffirming a commitment to supply intelligence. The exchange raises concerns about transparency and accountability within the intelligence community, especially regarding potential threats in a volatile region. For policymakers and investors, uncertainty about Iran’s intentions and the administration’s preparedness could affect energy markets, defense spending, and geopolitical risk assessments.