New York Times: Mujtaba Khamenei More Open to Iran Pursuing Nuclear Weapons

ARK News.. The new Supreme Leader of Iran, Mujtaba Khamenei, is believed to be more open than his father, Ali Khamenei, to the possibility of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, according to U.S. intelligence assessments, an American newspaper reported.

The New York Times, citing U.S. officials familiar with intelligence assessments, reported that Washington believes Mujtaba Khamenei, who assumed leadership after his father was killed in an Israeli attack carried out with U.S. intelligence support at the start of the war, is more inclined to pursue the development of a nuclear weapon, although he has not publicly stated such an intention.

The newspaper said U.S. intelligence agencies have long distinguished between Iran possessing the technical capability to build a nuclear weapon and making the political decision to do so. They had assessed that former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, while supporting the continuation of Iran's nuclear program, was reluctant to cross that threshold.

The New York Times added that most of the intelligence regarding Mojtaba Khamenei's views was gathered before the outbreak of the war. He was reportedly injured during its early weeks and has since significantly reduced his public appearances and communications for security reasons, amid concerns that he could be targeted in airstrikes.

According to the report, U.S. assessments indicate that the new Supreme Leader remains in control of the Iranian state but has not yet consolidated the level of authority his father exercised during more than 36 years in power.

Ali Khamenei issued a fatwa in 2005 prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons, and Iran formally notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the decree. However, the fatwa did not prevent Tehran from continuing to develop its nuclear program or pursue research and technologies that could bring it closer to producing a nuclear weapon should a political decision be made.

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