U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, exhibits a stronger inclination toward developing nuclear weapons compared to his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to officials familiar with the evaluations.

Ali Khamenei, who was killed early in the Iran-Iraq War in an Israeli attack reportedly aided by U.S. intelligence, had pledged not to pursue a nuclear arsenal. While Iran’s former leadership was viewed by many in the West as seeking the capability to build nuclear weapons, there was a widespread belief that Ali Khamenei’s reluctance reflected a genuine hesitance to cross that threshold.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father, has not publicly advocated for the production of nuclear arms. However, U.S. intelligence officials contend that he and the more hardline administration installed following the elimination of several Iranian leaders by the United States and Israel harbor ambitions to advance Iran’s nuclear weapons technology.

Since assuming power, the current Iranian government has taken steps to assert greater influence over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments, and has proven to be a challenging negotiating partner in diplomatic engagements.

These developments come amid ongoing concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and its regional intentions, raising questions about future diplomatic and security policies toward Tehran.