Washington, D.C. — Pakistan is one of the countries posing a significant nuclear threat to the United States, according to Tulsi Gabbard, Director of the U.S. National Intelligence. She made the remarks during the annual threat assessment presented at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Wednesday.
Gabbard highlighted that, alongside Pakistan, nations such as Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea are actively developing new missile delivery systems capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads. These weapons could potentially reach the U.S. mainland, she warned.
“Pakistan’s expanding missile capabilities present a major risk to U.S. security,” Gabbard said. “Countries like Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan are conducting research and development on various advanced and conventional missile systems, bringing our homeland within their reach.”
The report noted that these nations may also attempt to gain insights into U.S. missile defense systems to enhance their programs. Intelligence agencies predict that missile threats could rise sharply over the next decade, potentially increasing from the current 3,000 missiles to over 16,000 by 2035.
Experts in Washington, including Suja Nawaz, see this assessment as a continuation of previous U.S. policy. Although Pakistan’s Shaheen-III missile has a range of less than 2,800 kilometers and Islamabad maintains its nuclear program is only aimed at India, such reports could strain emerging U.S.-Pakistan relations.
Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert, emphasized that Pakistan was not singled out but mentioned alongside other nations, highlighting the broader global threat. Gabbard also stressed that active terrorist groups in South Asia remain a major concern for U.S. interests, describing India-Pakistan tensions as a “long-term security challenge,” especially following incidents like the Pehelgam attack in Kashmir.
Regarding Iran, Gabbard noted that while the Iranian government has faced setbacks since the outbreak of war on February 28, it remains capable of launching attacks on U.S. and allied targets in the Middle East.
The hearing also covered tense exchanges between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Democratic Senator Michael Bennet over U.S. plans to address Iran’s threats, and the resignation of Gabbard’s top aide, Joseph Kent, was also discussed.
