U.S. President Donald Trump slammed his own intelligence chiefs for their “extremely passive and naive” assessment on Iran.
“The Intelligence people seem to be extremely passive and naive when it comes to the dangers of Iran. They are wrong!” tweeted Trump on Wednesday.
The Intelligence people seem to be extremely passive and naive when it comes to the dangers of Iran. They are wrong! When I became President Iran was making trouble all over the Middle East, and beyond. Since ending the terrible Iran Nuclear Deal, they are MUCH different, but .... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2019
Trump added in a subsequent tweet that Iran is “a source of potential danger and conflict. They are testing Rockets (last week) and more, and are coming very close to the edge. There [sic] economy is now crashing, which is the only thing holding them back. Be careful of Iran. Perhaps Intelligence should go back to school!”
.... a source of potential danger and conflict. They are testing Rockets (last week) and more, and are coming very close to the edge. There economy is now crashing, which is the only thing holding them back. Be careful of Iran. Perhaps Intelligence should go back to school! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2019
On Tuesday, CIA director Gina Haspel and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats testified in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee that Iran has been in compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal and has not been constructing a nuclear weapon.
“At the moment, technically they are in compliance,” said Haspel.
However, she warned, “I think the most recent information is the Iranians are considering taking steps that would lessen their adherence to JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or Iran nuclear deal] as they seek to pressure the Europeans to come through with the investment and trade benefits that Iran hoped to gain from the deal.”
“They are making some preparations that would increase their ability to take a step back if they make that decision,” she added.
Coats said “we do not believe Iran is currently undertaking the key activities we judge necessary to produce a nuclear device,” even though the regime has “publicly threatened to push the boundaries” of the nuclear agreement if they determine there’s no benefits under it.
