New intelligence obtained by the US indicates that Iran is exploring faster ways to develop a nuclear weapon, according to The New York Times, The report was published overnight (Tuesday).
This development comes as Iran's relatively new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has conveyed messages indicating his interest in engaging in dialogue with the new US administration.
In addition, The New York Times reports that this intelligence was gathered in the final months of the Biden administration, and was transferred to Trump's team during the transition of power.
Officials who spoke with The New York Times stated that intelligence assessments warned that Iranian weapons engineers and scientists have been searching for a shortcut that would allow them to convert Iran's growing stockpile of enriched uranium into a functional atomic weapon within months, should Iran ultimately decide to produce a nuclear bomb.
American officials told the newspaper that they believe Iran and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have not yet made a final decision to develop a nuclear weapon.
The new intelligence also reveals that, in light of Iran's failure to penetrate Israel's defenses and cause significant damage in its recent attacks, Tehran is examining the development of a new weapon intended to deter Israel and the US from attacking Iran.
According to The New York Times, US intelligence estimates indicate that Iran is on the verge of possessing a nuclear bomb. This issue is expected to be a key topic in today's White House meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.
