US intelligence sees Mojtaba Khamenei more open to nuclear weapon than his father: NYT
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Trump warned the US military is prepared for larger strikes if necessary.
- Overnight hostilities expanded with US strikes in southern Iran and Iranian attacks targeting assets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq's Kurdistan Region.
- European diplomats reduced their presence in Tehran.
US intelligence agencies believe Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, shows greater willingness than his predecessor to seek a nuclear weapon. The assessment follows the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the war.
Officials cautioned that much of the underlying intelligence predates the conflict.
While Mojtaba Khamenei has kept a low profile since taking power, US officials noted Iran has not resumed nuclear enrichment, even after relocating some equipment to the underground site at Pickaxe Mountain.
Trump weighs major strike
US President Donald Trump met with top advisors on Friday to evaluate possible escalation.
He told reporters he had not yet decided whether to launch new strikes, but warned that American forces remain "locked and loaded".
A day earlier, Trump indicated he was considering an attack "larger than all previous attacks."
Inside Iran, analysts and social media users voiced deep anxiety over the threat of wider bombardment.
International affairs analyst Amir-Ali Abolfath compared the current atmosphere to the hours before the war's opening strikes, warning that a larger confrontation could lie ahead.
Military exchanges widen across region
US Central Command carried out strikes across southern Iran, targeting military installations, logistics facilities, and air defense systems.
In response, Iranian forces launched strikes against US positions in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq's Kurdistan Region.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed strikes on a US base in Kuwait and an Amazon data center in Bahrain.
Iran's army also reported strikes on Isa Air Base in Bahrain, while the IRGC warned civilians to stay at least 500 meters away from potential targets.
Diplomats exit as mediators arrive
Britain announced the withdrawal of all diplomats from Tehran, while French and German missions adjusted operations.
Amid the escalating confrontation, an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran.
Official reports focused on shipping management in the Strait of Hormuz, but the visit prompted speculation that Muscat may be conveying messages between Washington and Tehran.
