Iran praises Tulsi Gabbard's work after her resignation
Yerevan, May 23
The resignation of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence saw reactions from several US leaders, but it drew praise from an unlikely source: Iran.
Iranian Embassy in Armenia on Saturday lauded Gabbard for speaking the 'truth' about Iran that US President Donald Trump was uncomfortable with.
In a post on X, the Embassy said, "We wish Abraham a swift and complete recovery. You have previously shown at times that you work for America and not Israel, and sometimes you spoke truths about Iran that Trump hated. It was a pity that someone like you worked with this government, which has sidelined America and is a proxy for Israel. Best wishes."
Trump confirmed that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has resigned from her post following her husband's diagnosis with a rare form of cancer.
Trump said that Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence.
"Unfortunately, after having done a great job, Tulsi Gabbard will be leaving the Administration on June 30th. Her wonderful husband, Abraham, has been recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and she, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together. I have no doubt he will soon be better than ever. Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her. Her highly respected Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence. President DONALD J. TRUMP," he said.
Gabbard shared her resignation letter and said she feels it's imperative she stays by her husband's side.
US Vice President JD Vance said Gabbard was a patriot.
In a post on X, he said, "Tulsi is a patriot, a great asset to the administration, and a dear friend. I'm sorry to see her go, but certainly understand that family comes first. She and her husband Abraham will be in my prayers as they face this next challenge together, and she has my gratitude for being a great addition to the administration and a loyal confidante. Godspeed Tulsi!"
United States Senator Lindsey Graham appreciated Gabbard's service and said he will be praying for her.
Acting Attorney General Todd Balnche also thanked for her sacrifices for the country.
Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk hoped for divine peace to surround Gabbard.
US Senator for California, Adam Schiff noted how Gabbard politicized intelligence and dismantled critical agencies keeping Americans safe.
During her tenure as DNI, Gabbard undertook efforts aimed at restructuring the intelligence community, including reducing the size of the agency and dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes within the intelligence apparatus.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's always fascinating how international politics plays out. Iran praising an American official for speaking 'truth' about them shows how polarizing US policies have been globally. As Indians, we know how important it is to have balanced foreign relations. Tulsi's decision to prioritize family is commendable.
The Iranian embassy's statement is quite revealing about how US-Israel relations are perceived globally. Tulsi Gabbard's stance on avoiding foreign entanglements resonates with many. Her resignation due to family reasons shows her humanity. I wish her and Abraham strength during this difficult time.
While I respect Tulsi's service, her dismantling of DEI programs is concerning from an Indian-American perspective. Diversity initiatives helped many in our community access opportunities. But I do appreciate her being willing to listen to different viewpoints, which is a strength in diplomacy. Family comes first always.
Iran praising anyone in the US intelligence community feels like a carefully calculated diplomatic move. Tulsi Gabbard has always positioned herself as an outsider, so this endorsement might not help her politically. But as a fellow human being, I hope she finds peace in this challenging personal situation.
It's quite ironic that an American intelligence chief is being praised by Iran. From India's standpoint, we always value strong family bonds, so her decision to resign is completely understandable. I hope the international community can move towards more constructive dialogue rather than these proxy battles. Wishing Tulsi strength.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.