ISLAMABAD: United States Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned on Wednesday that Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan are actively pursuing missile systems capable of striking the American homeland with both nuclear and conventional warheads.
In her testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence during the annual Worldwide Threats hearing, Gabbard presented the intelligence community’s latest assessment amid heightened global tensions including the ongoing US-Israel military campaign against Iran.
The statement underscored a growing concern over the proliferation of advanced missile technologies that could directly threaten US territory.
Gabbard stated that the intelligence community assesses these five nations have been researching and developing an array of novel, advanced or traditional missile delivery systems equipped with nuclear and conventional payloads that place the United States within range.
This evaluation forms part of the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment, which identifies these actors as presenting the most persistent challenges to US national security.
Particular attention was drawn to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program.
Gabbard noted that Pakistan’s ongoing developments in this domain potentially include intercontinental ballistic missiles with sufficient range to reach the US mainland.
Such capabilities would represent a significant escalation in strategic reach for Islamabad, traditionally focused on regional deterrence against India.
The assessment highlighted that Pakistan continues to modernize its nuclear arsenal while maintaining robust command and control systems over its nuclear materials.
This modernization effort occurs against the backdrop of Pakistan’s perception of India as an existential threat, prompting investments in battlefield nuclear weapons and longer-range systems to offset conventional imbalances.
Russia and China were described as the most active and persistent threats in this category.
Both nations are advancing sophisticated missile technologies designed to penetrate or circumvent US missile defenses.
Russia’s efforts emphasize survivable nuclear forces capable of reliable retaliatory strikes, while China pursues dominance in advanced technologies that enhance its delivery systems.
North Korea’s pursuit of stronger strategic capabilities aims to target US forces, allies and the homeland itself, bolstering regime leverage and recognition as a nuclear power.
Iran, despite recent degradation from US and allied strikes, retains missile and drone forces that could still threaten regional US interests.
Gabbard emphasized that even a weakened Iranian regime and its proxies continue attacks on American and allied targets in the Middle East.
The overall missile threat landscape is expanding rapidly.
Projections indicate that missiles capable of reaching the United States could exceed 16,000 by 2035, a sharp rise from current estimates around 3,000.
This growth reflects concerted research and development across multiple adversaries, often involving dual-use technologies and international cooperation.
The hearing occurred against the context of the Iran conflict, where Democratic senators pressed Gabbard on pre-war intelligence and advisory roles to President Trump.
Gabbard deflected personal views, focusing instead on the collective intelligence perspective.
She reiterated that the assessment prioritizes extreme and critical direct threats to the homeland.
Broader implications include risks of escalation, unintended conflicts and challenges to US deterrence posture.
The inclusion of Pakistan alongside established nuclear powers like Russia, China and North Korea signals evolving concerns over South Asian strategic stability.
Pakistan’s missile advancements, potentially extending to ICBM-class systems, could alter global nuclear dynamics and complicate US non-proliferation efforts.
Intelligence officials accompanying Gabbard, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and FBI Director Kash Patel, joined in addressing multifaceted threats ranging from cyber operations to terrorism.
The testimony reflects a consensus within the US intelligence community on the need for sustained vigilance against these emerging capabilities.
As geopolitical rivalries intensify, the assessment calls attention to the imperative of bolstering homeland defenses and alliances to counter these developments.