President Donald Trump sparked controversy this week after claiming that Iran is developing missiles that could soon reach the United States. The remarks came in a video posted on social media following Saturday’s US military strikes against Iran and echoed points he made in his recent State of the Union address.
Trump stated that Iran’s missile program poses a direct threat to the American homeland. “Iran has been building missiles that could soon reach the American homeland,” he said. However, multiple sources tell CNN that this assertion is not supported by US intelligence.
What Intelligence Actually Shows
An unclassified report from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 2025 suggested that Iran could develop a militarily viable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by 2035 — if Tehran decides to pursue the capability. But according to intelligence sources, there is no evidence that Iran is actively working on an ICBM program that could reach the US at this time.
Iran does possess short-range ballistic missiles, which remain a threat to US personnel and bases in the Middle East. Three separate sources confirmed that there has been no recent change in the US intelligence assessment regarding Iran’s long-range missile ambitions.
Mixed Statements From US Officials
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended Trump’s claims, emphasizing that Iran poses a “grave concern” due to its rhetoric and missile capabilities. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that while Iran is trying to advance its missile program, he would not speculate on when they might reach the continental US.
Rubio highlighted that Iran has refused to discuss its missile program during recent negotiations, which focused solely on nuclear issues. He warned that Iran’s conventional weapons, including missiles, are designed to target Americans and cannot be ignored.
Iran Responds
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied claims of developing long-range missiles, telling India Today TV that Tehran has “deliberately limited the range of our missiles to 2,000 kilometers,” stressing their defensive purpose.
Nuclear Concerns Remain
Alongside missile fears, US officials have expressed concern about Iran’s nuclear program. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff suggested Iran could be “a week away from industrial-grade bomb-making material,” though experts note that rebuilding enrichment capabilities and uranium weaponization facilities would take much longer than a week.
Intelligence sources indicate that Iran is actively rebuilding centrifuges and damaged nuclear facilities, but these are mostly in locations unlikely to be affected by US military action.
The situation underscores the persistent tensions between the US and Iran, with missile and nuclear programs at the center of ongoing scrutiny.
