Kochi: In a shocking revelation, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has said that Iran could produce nuclear weapons “within weeks”, BBC reported.
Gabbard’s revelations come after she testified before Congress in March that Iran was not building them.
Dismissing her claims, President Donald Trump had said that she was “wrong” and that Iran could have a nuclear weapon “within months”.
Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and that it has never sought to develop a nuclear weapon.
Trump on Thursday gave Tehran two weeks’ time to reach a deal on its nuclear activities with Washington.
“President Trump has been clear that can’t happen, and I agree,” she added.
Iran had suspended the nuclear weapons programme in 2003.
Earlier this month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed concern about Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, which can be used to make reactor fuel but also nuclear weapons.
Israeli air strikes have destroyed Iranian military facilities and weapons, and killed senior military commanders and nuclear scientists.
Iran’s health ministry said on Saturday that at least 430 people had been killed, while a human rights group, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, put the unofficial death toll at 657 on Friday.
Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israel, killing 25 people including one who suffered a heart attack.
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Gabbard backs Trump
