Pakistan Poses Significant Nuclear Threat to US: US' Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard

Washington: In a major statement, which may signal the deterioration of ties between Washington and Islamabad, Tulsi Gabbard, the US' Director of National Intelligence (DNI) has warned that Pakistan is among the countries that pose the most significant nuclear threats to the United States. 

The US intelligence chief also named Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea as nations which are actively developing new missile delivery systems, which includes both nuclear and conventional warheads. The clubbing of Pakistan along with countries which have traditionally been rivals of the United States is significant, as it broadly suggests the Trump administration's outlook towards some nuclear-armed nations it usually labels as rogue, for being its adversary.

"State actors present a risk broader in scope by seeking new capabilities in kinetic and cyber warfare. The United States secure nuclear deterrent continues to ensure safety in the homeland against strategic threats. However, the intelligence community assesses that Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan have been researching and developing an array of novel, advanced, or traditional missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads that put our homeland within range," she said.

"The IC assesses that threats to the homeland will expand collectively to more than 16,000 missiles by 2035, from the current assessed figure of more than 3,000 missiles. The IC assesses that China and Russia are developing advanced delivery systems meant to be capable of penetrating or bypassing US missile defenses. North Korea's ICBMs can already reach US soil and the IC assesses that it is committed to expanding its nuclear arsenal," she added.

“Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile development potentially could include ICBMs with a range capable of striking the homeland,” she specifically pointed out.

Sharp Spike In Missile Capabilities To Strike US

Gabbard said that the U.S. intelligence community regularly assesses the sharp spike in the number of missiles capable of striking the United States. This figure might grow to over 16,000 by 2035, marking a sharp rise from the current number of around 3,000, Reuters reported.

Gabbard also added that North Korea is actively strengthening its strategic partnerships with Russia and China. “North Korea's cyber program is sophisticated and agile. In 2025 alone, North Korea's cryptocurrency heist probably stole $2 billion, which the IC assesses is helping to fund the regime and include further development of its strategic weapons programs,” she added.

Iran's Nuclear Programme ‘Obliterated’

The US intelligence chief said that the US "obliterated" Iran's nuclear enrichment programme in June, 2025, adding that the US has not seen any effort to rebuild Iran's enrichment capabilities, ever since.

Gabbard also warned that Iran and its regional proxies continue to be a significant threat in the region, and has the capability to target US forces and its allies across the Middle East. She even warned that if the Iranian regime continues to be in power, it will continue in its pursuit to rebuild its missile and drone arsenal.

The remarks were delivered in a prepared testimony before the Senate panel.

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