Trump Dismisses March Claim From Tulsi Gabbard That Iran Was Not Building a Nuclear Weapon: 'I Don't Care What She Said'

President Donald Trump dismissed a claim from Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard, who in March had said the intelligence community believed Iran was not building a nuclear weapon.

Speaking to reporters aboard the Air Force One as he returned to the U.S. from the G-7 summit in Canada, Trump was asked about the statement from Gabbard, who made the claim in her opening statement to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

"The IC continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized the nuclear weapons program that he suspended in 2023," Gabbard said back then. "We continue to monitor closely if Tehran decides to reauthorize its nuclear weapons program."

Trump, however, dismissed the claim. "I don't care what she said, I think they were very close to having them," he told reporters.

In another contact with reporters, Trump also rejected a claim by French President Emmanuel Macron about him returning from the G-7 to negotiate a ceasefire.

"We're looking at something better than a ceasefire," Trump added. Asked what would be better, he said "a real end." "Not a ceasefire, an end."

Trump reiterated his claim that Iran "just can't have a nuclear weapon" and said that if Iran wants to return to the negotiating table "they know how to reach me." "They should have taken the deal that was on the table — Would have saved a lot of lives!!!"

Tehran is reportedly willing to show flexibility in nuclear talks in exchange for a ceasefire with Israel, Reuters reported on Monday.

Quoting local sources, the outlet detailed that Tehran is has asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to pressure Trump to use his influence on Israel to reach an immediate ceasefire.

Country representatives added that Iran is willing to return to the negotiating table but only after hostilities with Israel cease, saying it will begin serious negotiations once it has finished answering to Israeli attacks.

Israel has not signaled willingness to end its attacks so far, with Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi telling Army Radio on Monday that "it is a little early for that." "You don't go to war and look to end it three days later," he added.