US fears Iran planning to develop faster, cruder nuclear weapon
What's the story
The United States has reportedly received intelligence that Iran is considering developing a faster, more rudimentary nuclear weapon.
According to The New York Times, a covert group of Iranian scientists is exploring this accelerated method. Any decision to go ahead with such development would require approval from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
The intelligence report comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington, DC, where he is expected to meet US President Donald Trump.
Diplomatic discussions
Iran's nuclear ambitions under scrutiny amid Netanyahu's visit
The talks are expected to center around Iran's nuclear ambitions, which Netanyahu has repeatedly depicted as an existential threat to Israel.
The new assessment was reportedly developed during the last months of President Joe Biden's administration and relayed to the incoming Trump administration.
The breakthrough also comes at a time when the US believes that Iran may resort to creating a nuclear weapon to restore deterrence as its conventional deterrence erodes.
Diminished power
Iran's conventional deterrence capabilities significantly weakened
This is due to compromised air defenses, reduced influence of allies Hamas and Hezbollah, the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, and decreased missile production due to Israeli airstrikes.
Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels and could reach full weapons-grade status in a matter of days.
This could allow them to produce enough material for four or five bombs.
Even so, US officials insist that Khamenei has not yet authorized the development of a nuclear weapon.
Nuclear progress
Iran could reach full weapons-grade status within days
A November 2024 US intelligence report had also raised similar concerns.
"As of 26 September 2024, Iran is not building a nuclear weapon. Tehran has, however, undertaken activities that better position it to produce one, if it so chooses," the Office of the Director of National Intelligence report said.
The following month, former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said there is a "real risk" of Iran choosing to pursue a nuclear weapon given its current vulnerabilities.