Trump’s Iranian Missile Claim Lacks Intelligence Backing, Sources Say
WASHINGTON — Addressing Congress in his State of the Union speech Tuesday, Trump said Tehran was developing missiles that could soon reach the American homeland, linking the warning to potential military action against the Islamic Republic. However, current U.S. intelligence assessments do not support this claim, according to three sources familiar with the reports.
The president’s characterization of an imminent threat contradicts unclassified findings from the Defense Intelligence Agency, which concluded that Iran would likely require until 2035 to develop a “militarily viable intercontinental ballistic missile” capable of striking the continental United States.
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One source indicated that even with foreign assistance, Iran would probably need up to eight years to produce an operational ICBM. The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence, stated they were unaware of any recent assessments suggesting an accelerated timeline.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a tempered assessment of Iran on Wednesday, describing Tehran as being “on a pathway” to developing long-range weapons—language notably softer than Donald Trump’s urgent warnings.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied the claim entirely, telling India Today TV that Tehran has “deliberately limited” its missile range to below 2,000 kilometers, far short of intercontinental capability.
The discrepancy raises questions about the intelligence underpinning Trump’s rationale for potential military action as his administration considers its approach to Iran’s nuclear program.
Source: Reuters / The Telegraph India
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