The New York Times reports that US intelligence agencies assess Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is more determined than his father, the late Ali Khamenei, to advance the country's nuclear weapons program. The assessment, based on intelligence sources, indicates that Khamenei and the hardline leadership that emerged after the elimination of many senior Iranian figures push for advanced nuclear capabilities.
The New York Times report, citing US intelligence sources, emphasizes a generational shift in Iran's nuclear ambitions. According to the assessment, Mojtaba Khamenei is personally more supportive of developing nuclear weapons than his father, the late Ali Khamenei, who had maintained a policy of ambiguity. This update highlights the assessment of Khamenei's determination as a central finding from the broader intelligence report that The Zioneer has been tracking since Friday evening.
The Zioneer first reported on Friday, July 24 at 21:30 Jerusalem that US intelligence agencies were convinced Mojtaba Khamenei is more open to nuclear weapon development than his father. Subsequent updates that same evening revealed that the assessment also includes Iran's efforts to preserve and hide nuclear equipment from potential strikes, including moving assets to the Mount Makosh complex, and that the new leader prefers developing an advanced thermonuclear warhead over a simple fission bomb. The reporting drew on NYT sources and was corroborated by Israeli journalist Asaf Rozentzweig (N12). A later bulletin on Saturday at 21:00 Jerusalem summarized the full assessment, including details about Iran's focus on concealment and fears of a US commando raid on the fortified facility.
As The Zioneer reported on June 21, Mojtaba Khamenei has previously expressed hardline opposition to nuclear negotiations, calling them contrary to ideology. The intelligence assessment arrives amid internal power struggles in Iran and after a series of high-profile eliminations of senior Iranian figures by the US and Israel.
The report does not specify whether Iran has already resumed active weapons development. The assessment indicates that for now, Iran is primarily focused on preserving and hiding its nuclear equipment rather than immediately restarting the program.
4 developments
- DevelopingReport: Debate in Iran's top leadership escalates, each camp seeks to pull Mojtaba Khamenei to its side
- StrongUnverified reports: Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appeared at father's funeral events
- DevelopingNew analysis raises questions over Mojtaba Khamenei's status and who runs Iran
- DevelopingTrump says he knows Mojtaba Khamenei's whereabouts, praises his 'logic and courage'
Source and signal
- Open-source intake