United States intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard warned that China and Pakistan are developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that could potentially target the US.
Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, made the remarks while presenting the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment report before the US Senate Intelligence Committee.
She stated that Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan are all researching and developing a range of advanced and conventional missile delivery systems—capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional payloads—that could place the US homeland within range.
Gabbard noted that North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are already capable of reaching US territory, and that Pyongyang remains committed to expanding its nuclear arsenal. She also highlighted North Korea’s deepening ties with Russia and China, saying this evolving alignment carries serious implications for global security.
On Pakistan, she said Islamabad’s ongoing missile development efforts could potentially include ICBMs capable of striking the United States. She further assessed that China and Russia are working on advanced delivery systems designed to penetrate or evade US missile defence systems.
"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," Gabbard said.
The assessment report also noted that even if major powers avoid direct conflict, many regional and smaller states are increasingly willing to use force to advance their interests.
“Countries such as Egypt, Israel, Pakistan, Turkey, and the UAE are using a mix of lethal aid, proxy forces, or their own military assets to provoke or undermine their rivals or to tilt nearby conflicts in their favour,” the report said.
Did Iran pose a threat?
In a significant remark, Gabbard said that US strikes on Iran last year had “obliterated” its nuclear programme, adding that there has been no effort by Tehran since then to rebuild that capability.
Her statement appeared to contradict repeated claims by President Donald Trump, who argued that military action against Iran was necessary to counter what he described as an imminent threat from the Islamic Republic.
Responding to a question on whether the intelligence community had assessed Iran’s nuclear programme as posing an immediate risk to the United States, Gabbard said, “It is not the intelligence community’s responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent threat.”
Her remarks drew sharp criticism from lawmakers, with Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff pushing back, saying, “It is precisely your responsibility to determine what constitutes a threat to the United States.”
