New Iranian Leader More Inclined to Nuclear Weapons, U.S. Intelligence Suggests

American intelligence agencies assess that Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, may be more amenable to equipping Iran with nuclear weapons than his predecessor, his father, The New York Times reported, citing officials.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who has largely stayed out of the public eye since February, has never publicly advocated for the development of atomic bombs. However, Washington believes he harbors ambitions to develop a small thermonuclear weapon that could be carried by a long-range missile. U.S. officials emphasize that much of this intelligence predates recent conflicts and that Tehran has not yet taken concrete steps to revive its nuclear program, focusing instead on protecting its existing equipment.

Reports indicate that Iran has transferred uranium enrichment centrifuges to a deeply buried underground complex located 100 meters beneath a granite mountain. This site, dubbed "Pickaxe Mountain" by Washington, is considered too deep for even the most powerful conventional U.S. bombs to reach. Despite this, the location could still become a target as U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly contemplates intensifying military action against Iran.

Even after U.S. strikes on facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan in June 2025, Iran's stockpiles of highly enriched uranium remain intact and accessible, The New York Times noted. This situation underscores ongoing concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities and potential intentions under its new leadership.