US-Iran War: Is Tehran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Open To Pursuing A Nuclear Weapon? Here is what US intel suggests | Today’s news

As the United States and Iran continue their trade war following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire earlier this month, US intelligence agencies believe Tehran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is far more interested in acquiring a nuclear weapon than his father and predecessor.

Mojtaba pushing for a nuclear weapon? Here is what intel suggests

Citing officials briefed on the assessments, The New York Times said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former supreme leader who was killed at the start of the war in late February after Israel attacked, had vowed to develop a nuclear weapon. Intelligence inputs further indicated that while US officials said Tehran wanted to be able to produce a nuclear weapon, many believed the former supreme leader was actually hesitant.

While Mojtaba has never publicly called for the Islamic Republic to build a nuclear weapon, U.S. intelligence agencies believe Khamenei and the hardline government that was formed after the U.S. and Israel killed many of Tehran’s previous leaders have ambitions to develop advanced nuclear weapons.

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The current Iranian government has already sought to tighten its control over the Strait of Hormuz and has remained a challenging negotiating partner. If the US-Israeli war increased rather than reduced Tehran’s determination to pursue nuclear weapons, it would represent another serious consequence of the reported killing of its top leader and the initial push by US President Donald Trump’s administration for regime change, the report added.

U.S. officials further warned that most of the intelligence about Mojtab’s views came from before the war. Mojtaba Khamenei was seriously wounded during the first part of the war, which was halted in April, with US officials saying his injuries have limited his communications and public appearances, adding that he does not want to be targeted in another airstrike.

Will Tehran resume its nuclear program?

While Washington believes Tehran has not taken any significant steps to revive its nuclear program, the Islamic Republic has taken some steps to preserve its nuclear assets after US attacks on key facilities last year or during lulls in fighting in the current war.

U.S. officials believe Tehran has reportedly moved at least some of the centrifuges to a fortified underground complex in central Iran that the U.S. refers to as Pickaxe Mountain.

Satellite images taken in June, just days after the MoU was signed, showed vehicles entering and exiting the tunnel complex. According to experts cited by CNN, the activity may indicate that Tehran has violated the terms of the agreement it signed with Washington.

Read also | Satellite images reveal Iran may be rebuilding nuclear facilities: Details

Earlier this month, CNN, in partnership with the Institute for Science and International Security, reviewed the latest satellite imagery. The analysis raises questions about whether Tehran violated the ceasefire before the US president declared it “over” and renewed strikes on Iran, citing its continued attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Last year, when Washington launched strikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities, days after Israel launched an attack in June, the nuclear site at Pickaxe Mountain was reportedly untouched because it was a much more difficult target for the US military. According to U.S. officials, the underground facilities at Pickax are buried deep beneath the mountain, beyond the reach of some of the most powerful conventional U.S. bombs.

After assessing the damage at the Fordow nuclear facility last year, Iranian officials concluded how deep American weapons were able to penetrate. They now believe that the underground halls at Pickaxe Mountain, which are built even deeper, remain beyond the reach of conventional air strikes.

Read also | Satellite images show activity at Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility after US strikes

Will Trump step up his campaign against Iran?

The assessment comes as Trump considers whether to step up the military campaign against Tehran. If officials conclude that the supreme leader remains willing to pursue a nuclear weapon, that could strengthen the case for further escalation.

Earlier this week, Trump threatened to attack the nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain, calling it “a possible target for a nice fat shot right at their front door.”

Read also | Trump warns US will strike ‘very soon’ at Iran’s pickaxe mountain

The latest intelligence reports are likely to play a key role as Washington considers its next steps in the conflict with Iran.