Iran's leadership increasingly interested in development of nuclear weapons
US intelligence reports suggest that Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is actively pursuing nuclear weapons development. While enrichment has not restarted, Iran is reportedly moving assets to fortified locations to preserve its nuclear capabilities.
Why it matters
Potential nuclear proliferation in the Middle East poses a significant threat to regional stability and global security policy.
US intelligence agencies believe Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is even more interested in acquiring a nuclear weapon than his father and predecessor was, according to a Friday New York Times report citing officials briefed on the information.The intelligence agencies believe that the killing of former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the opening days of the US and Israel's military operations against Iran in February intensified Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Officials noted that much of the information regarding Khamenei's views came from before the start of the war, as the new supreme leader has been in hiding since he was injured in the strike that killed his father.The officials, according to the NYT report, also stated that his communication with other Iranian officials has been limited as he avoids public appearances for fear of being targeted in further airstrikes.While intelligence agencies assessed that Iran has not made moves to…
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