Tulsi Gabbard Grilled During Senate Intelligence Hearing on Iran

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard faced sharp bipartisan scrutiny on Wednesday during a heated Senate hearing as U.S. intelligence chiefs warned of escalating cyber and Iran-related threats.

The Senate Intelligence Committee’s annual “Worldwide Threats” hearing laid out the government’s latest assessment of global risks, but quickly turned contentious as lawmakers clashed over the administration’s handling of the Iran war, the omission of election interference from the threat report and the role of intelligence agencies in defining national security threats.

Scrutiny centered on Gabbard as lawmakers pressed her on whether Iran posed an imminent threat and how that determination was made.

Gabbard emphasized the broader risk environment, telling lawmakers the global security landscape is “volatile and complex,” even as she declined to directly state whether intelligence assessments supported claims of an imminent threat.

Pressed repeatedly on the issue, she did not provide a direct yes-or-no answer, prompting visible frustration from lawmakers who argued that evaluating imminent threats is a core function of U.S. intelligence agencies.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the vice chair, underscored those concerns in a statement to Military.com, saying, “Trump has no concrete plan or objective for the U.S.’s military actions in Iran,” warning that “American lives [are] at risk.”

Military.com reached out for comment to the White House, Defense Department, intelligence agencies and congressional offices.

Lawmakers also pressed Gabbard on the omission of foreign election interference from the annual threat assessment, questioning why a longstanding national security threat was not included in this year’s report.

Cotton: Iran ‘On Its Back Foot’ After US Strikes

Fresh praise for recent U.S. military and intelligence operations came from Committee Chairman, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-NE), who argued they have significantly weakened adversaries and improved national security.

“The Iranian revolutionary regime… is finally knocked on its back foot,” Cotton said, pointing to strikes that he said “devastated Iran’s nuclear facilities” and operations targeting its leadership, military and proxy networks.

Those actions come as U.S. forces have surged into the region, including Marines and amphibious warships moving toward the Strait of Hormuz as tensions escalated and concerns grew about protecting shipping lanes and deterring Iranian retaliation.

Cotton credited intelligence agencies with enabling those missions, saying their work provided “timely, accurate and fact-based intelligence” critical to success.

He also called for expanded funding and authorities, backing reauthorization of FISA Section 702 and signaling support for increased intelligence spending tied to Iran and other global threats.

Warner: Trump Has ‘No Plan’ For Iran War

Sharp criticism of the administration’s strategy came from Warner, who warned U.S. actions are increasing risks at home and abroad.

Questions about election threats quickly became a flashpoint, with Warner pressing officials on why foreign election interference was omitted from this year’s threat assessment and warning those risks remain active.

Concerns also surfaced over whether intelligence agencies are being properly focused on foreign adversaries, with Warner raising issues about oversight, priorities and the broader use of intelligence authorities.

The hearing unfolded under mounting pressure on intelligence officials to explain both the Iran war and domestic threats, with lawmakers pressing for clarity on risks to Americans at home and abroad.

President Donald Trump’s administration defended its approach.

“President [Donald] Trump’s Peace through Strength foreign policy is a tried-and-true approach that keeps America safe and addresses global threats," a White House spokesperson told Military.com. "The president has assembled a world-class intelligence team who he is constantly communicating with and receiving real time updates on all pressing national security issues."

Ensuring the safety and security of the American people is President Trump’s number one priority, and he has full confidence in his entire exceptional national security team.

Intel Chiefs Warn Threats Are Escalating Worldwide

The U.S. intel assessment pointed to China as a long-term strategic competitor, Russia as a persistent military threat, and Iran as weakened but still capable of attacks and rebuilding its forces.

Cyber threats continue to grow, with nation-state actors and criminal groups targeting U.S. infrastructure, government systems and private networks.

Officials also warned that terrorist organizations remain degraded but adaptive, capable of inspiring or directing attacks despite leadership losses.

Missile threats to the U.S. homeland could expand significantly in the coming decade, while advances in artificial intelligence are accelerating both cyber and battlefield risks.

The conflict with Iran emerged as the central flashpoint, driving some of the most intense exchanges between lawmakers and intelligence officials.

Questions centered on whether the administration anticipated Iranian retaliation following U.S. strikes, including the risk of attacks on American forces, regional allies and global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The stakes are particularly high as the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical oil chokepoint where disruptions could ripple through global energy markets and maritime security operations.

Officials said Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly degraded, but warned the regime remains intact, can still carry out attacks through proxies and could attempt to rebuild over time.

Growing risks closer to home also took center stage, with officials highlighting cyberattacks, transnational criminal networks and persistent terrorism threats.

Gabbard said criminal organizations trafficking fentanyl remain a “direct threat” to Americans, underscoring the impact of cross-border networks. Cyber actors continue targeting government systems, infrastructure and private networks, raising concerns about potential disruption to essential services.