Iran's New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Seen as More Open to Nuclear Weapon Pursuit, US Intel Says

U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, shows a greater willingness than his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to develop nuclear weapons. The assessment follows the February strike that killed his father and left Mojtaba seriously injured, limiting his public appearances.

Analysts say Mojtaba Khamenei, while still heading the government, lacks the absolute authority of his predecessor but is steering a hard‑line administration toward advanced nuclear capabilities, including thermonuclear warheads for long‑range missiles. Tehran has not resumed uranium enrichment, yet some centrifuges have been relocated to a heavily fortified underground complex known as “Pickaxe Mountain” to preserve nuclear assets.

U.S. officials note that most intelligence on the new leader’s views predates the ongoing war, but the perceived shift could influence U.S. policy decisions regarding further military action against Iran.