Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:49am on 19 Mar 2026,Thursday International
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told a Senate Committee that Pakistan, China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are developing nuclear-capable missile systems that could reach the United States. She said the intelligence community assesses expanding threats, with total missiles rising from 3,000 to over 16,000 by 2035, and highlighted advanced Russian and Chinese systems designed to penetrate US defenses. Gabbard warned Pakistan’s long-range programme may include ICBMs, while Iran could develop such capability before 2035. She added North Korea’s cyber thefts, including $2 billion in 2025, fund weapons programmes. She also said US strikes have degraded but not destroyed Iran’s regime, which continues regional attacks. CIA John Ratcliffe Europe risk.
