The New York Times reports that US intelligence agencies are convinced Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader, is more open to the possibility of developing nuclear weapons and is significantly more interested in pursuing such a capability than his father was. The report cites unnamed US intelligence officials.
The New York Times reported Friday evening that US intelligence agencies are convinced Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is more open to the possibility of developing nuclear weapons than his father was, and is significantly more interested in pursuing such a capability. The report, citing unnamed US intelligence officials, represents the first explicit attribution to US intelligence of an assessment regarding Khamenei Jr.'s nuclear stance.
Mojtaba Khamenei has been the subject of numerous reports in recent weeks. The Zioneer has previously covered statements attributed to him, including a reported interview with Fars News where he rejected nuclear talks, an unverified claim about his willingness to sign a deal only under a US security umbrella, and a series of reports about his health and whereabouts. The background items from our archive all carry the BACKGROUND relation, indicating they are not directly linked to this new development.
While the NYT report adds a new layer of credibility to the idea that Khamenei Jr. is more hawkish on nuclear development than his father, the assessment remains attributed to unnamed officials and has not been confirmed by other outlets or official statements. The report comes amid heightened US-Iran tensions and ongoing debate over the future of Iran's nuclear program.
3 developments
- DevelopingIran's atomic energy chief: Nuclear program is legacy of late Khamenei, current leader supports it
- DevelopingIranian regime analysis details Khamenei's stance on ceasefire negotiations
- StrongAssessment: Khamenei not seeking permanent Iran deal, leveraging talks for sanctions relief and Hormuz opening
- DevelopingIranian state TV reports Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reconsiders US-Iran MOU, weighs canceling deal
Source and signal
- Open-source intake