Washington, D.C. — U.S. intelligence assessments do not support President Donald Trump’s recent claim that Iran will “soon” possess missiles capable of striking the United States, according to multiple sources familiar with classified reports.
During his State of the Union address, Trump said Tehran was working on missiles that would soon reach the U.S. homeland. However, sources told Reuters that a 2025 unclassified Defense Intelligence Agency assessment projects Iran may not develop a “militarily viable intercontinental ballistic missile” until 2035.
Two sources said there have been no changes to that assessment. Even with potential assistance from China or North Korea, Iran would likely need up to eight years to field an operational ICBM, one source said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Iran as being “on a pathway” to developing such weapons in the future but stopped short of Trump’s timeline. Iranian officials deny seeking long-range missile capability, saying their missile range is intentionally capped below 2,000 kilometers.
The intelligence dispute comes amid stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations and heightened military tensions in the region.
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