Iran's missile campaign is putting growing pressure on US military operations across West Asia, while Washington weighs its next move and President Donald Trump turns increasingly toward economic pressure and sanctions.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has become a central focus of the conflict, with questions emerging over resupply, deployment pressures and the ability of US forces to sustain extended operations in the region.

The conflict has also placed major pressure on American logistics infrastructure. Following attacks on key regional facilities, US forces have reportedly had to rely on alternative supply routes, including facilities farther from the Gulf.

Iranian missile attacks have forced US commanders to protect military bases, naval vessels and logistics hubs across the region, while American warships continue moving through strategically important waters.

Iran Missiles Pressure US War Machine As Trump Weighs Exit, Sanctions And Hormuz Crisis Deepen

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is viewed by US intelligence as being more inclined to pursue nuclear weapons than his father, which cited people familiar with the intelligence assessments.&nbsp;According to a report by The New York Times, US intelligence believes Mojtaba Khamenei, unlike his father, has ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons, although he has never publicly called for their development. The assessment also extends to members of Iran's hard-line leadership that has gained influence in recent months, according to the newspaper.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-us-in-talks-with-iran-no-decision-yet-on-major-strikes-here-s-what-it-means-1784928687382">Trump says US in talks with Iran, no decision yet on major strikes. Here’s what it means</a>&nbsp;The intelligence is based on public statements and conversations from the period before the recent conflict between Israel and Iran, the report said. US officials cited by The New York Times noted that much of the assessment predates the war and should be viewed in that context.&nbsp;Iran's former Supreme Leader had issued a fatwa, or religious ruling, in the 1990s prohibiting nuclear weapons, a position that has long been cited by Tehran as evidence that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes.&nbsp;According to the report, US intelligence believes Mojtaba Khamenei does not share his father's reluctance and instead favours developing a nuclear warhead that could eventually be miniaturised and mounted on a long-range missile.&nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-damages-done-to-ships-will-be-paid-for-by-iranian-money-trump-over-strikes-in-gulf-1784851841686">‘All damages done to ships will be paid for by Iranian money’: Trump over strikes in Gulf</a>&nbsp;The report added that, towards the end of former US President Joe Biden's administration, intelligence suggested Iran had been considering acquiring a rudimentary nuclear device that would be difficult to deploy on a missile but could serve as a deterrent. However, the latest assessment suggests Mojtaba Khamenei sees greater strategic value in developing a more advanced, missile-compatible warhead.&nbsp;The report also noted that Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in an Israeli strike on his father's compound on February 28 and has not appeared publicly or made any public statements since. Before launching Operation Rising Lion, Israeli officials had argued that Iran was making progress towards acquiring nuclear weapons, a claim that contributed to Israel's decision to launch military action.&nbsp;

US intelligence indicates Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is more inclined than his father to pursue advanced, missile-compatible nuclear weapons, despite Iran's public denials and a historic fatwa.  

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is viewed by US intelligence as being more inclined to pursue nuclear weapons than his father, which cited people familiar with the intelligence assessments. According to a report by The New York Times, US intelligence believes Mojtaba Khamenei, unlike his father, has ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons, although he has never publicly called for their development. The assessment also extends to members of Iran's hard-line leadership that has gained influence in recent months, according to the newspaper. Also read: Trump says US in talks with Iran, no decision yet on major strikes. Here’s what it means The intelligence is based on public statements and conversations from the period before the recent conflict between Israel and Iran, the report said. US officials cited by The New York Times noted that much of the assessment predates the war and should be viewed in that context. Iran's former Supreme Leader had issued a fatwa, or religious ruling, in the 1990s prohibiting nuclear weapons, a position that has long been cited by Tehran as evidence that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes. According to the report, US intelligence believes Mojtaba Khamenei does not share his father's reluctance and instead favours developing a nuclear warhead that could eventually be miniaturised and mounted on a long-range missile. Also read:‘All damages done to ships will be paid for by Iranian money’: Trump over strikes in Gulf The report added that, towards the end of former US President Joe Biden's administration, intelligence suggested Iran had been considering acquiring a rudimentary nuclear device that would be difficult to deploy on a missile but could serve as a deterrent. However, the latest assessment suggests Mojtaba Khamenei sees greater strategic value in developing a more advanced, missile-compatible warhead. The report also noted that Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in an Israeli strike on his father's compound on February 28 and has not appeared publicly or made any public statements since. Before launching Operation Rising Lion, Israeli officials had argued that Iran was making progress towards acquiring nuclear weapons, a claim that contributed to Israel's decision to launch military action.

US intelligence indicates Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is more inclined than his father to pursue advanced, missile-compatible nuclear weapons, despite Iran's public denials and a historic fatwa. &nbsp;

'Unlike his father': US intelligence flags Iran's new leader's ‘nuclear ambitions’

The United States (US) has indicated that scientists in Iran are exploring quick ways to develop nuclear weapons if the leadership of the Islamic nation decides to pursue one, The New York Times reported.&nbsp;
Information by the New American Intelligence said that Iran is looking for ways that would let the country convert its uranium stocks into a weapon within months instead of years, the report added.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-oreshnik-missile-system-minimises-the-need-for-nuclear-weapons-783270">Putin says Oreshnik missile system minimises the need for nuclear weapons</a>
However, the report confirmed that no official decision has been made so far by the country.&nbsp;
It was reported that information regarding this was attained by the Biden administration and handed over to the White House after Donald Trump took office.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-everything-they-asked-irans-foreign-minister-hints-at-nuclear-weapons-program-if-sanctions-return-779821">'Did everything they asked,' Iran's foreign minister hints at nuclear weapons program if sanctions return</a>
The report claimed that the move could happen as Iran's military power has weakened due to the proxy forces and its failure to hit Israel. It said Tehran is anxious about new ways to respond to any potential strike by the US or Israel.&nbsp;
There is a concern among Iranian officials that Trump would empower Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike Iran's nuclear sites in his second term in the White House. They also speculate that the US president might tighten the sanctions on the oil industry of the country led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/an-analysis-of-putins-potential-choices-will-russia-resort-to-nuke-weapons-777647">Will Russia resort&nbsp;to using Nuclear weapons?&nbsp;An analysis of Putin's potential choices</a>
Earlier, UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said that Iran was &ldquo;pressing the gas pedal&rdquo; on its enrichment of uranium to near weapons grade.
Grossi said that Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency that it would &ldquo;dramatically&rdquo; increase the enrichment of uranium to up to 60 per cent purity.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-attacks-iran-researchers-say-irans-former-nuclear-weapons-test-building-missile-facilities-were-hit-771080">Israel attacks Iran: Researchers say Iran's former nuclear weapons test building, missile facilities were hit</a>
Western powers have called out the step saying there is no civil justification for enriching to that level of uranium.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

World | It was reported that the Biden administration attained the information and handed it over to the White House after Donald Trump took office. 

The United States (US) has indicated that scientists in Iran are exploring quick ways to develop nuclear weapons if the leadership of the Islamic nation decides to pursue one, The New York Times reported. Information by the New American Intelligence said that Iran is looking for ways that would let the country convert its uranium stocks into a weapon within months instead of years, the report added. Also read: Putin says Oreshnik missile system minimises the need for nuclear weapons However, the report confirmed that no official decision has been made so far by the country. It was reported that information regarding this was attained by the Biden administration and handed over to the White House after Donald Trump took office. Also read: 'Did everything they asked,' Iran's foreign minister hints at nuclear weapons program if sanctions return The report claimed that the move could happen as Iran's military power has weakened due to the proxy forces and its failure to hit Israel. It said Tehran is anxious about new ways to respond to any potential strike by the US or Israel. There is a concern among Iranian officials that Trump would empower Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike Iran's nuclear sites in his second term in the White House. They also speculate that the US president might tighten the sanctions on the oil industry of the country led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Also read: Will Russia resort to using Nuclear weapons? An analysis of Putin's potential choices Earlier, UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said that Iran was “pressing the gas pedal” on its enrichment of uranium to near weapons grade. Grossi said that Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency that it would “dramatically” increase the enrichment of uranium to up to 60 per cent purity. Also read: Israel attacks Iran: Researchers say Iran's former nuclear weapons test building, missile facilities were hit Western powers have called out the step saying there is no civil justification for enriching to that level of uranium. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran looking for quick ways to build nuclear weapon, says US: Report

Iran has urged the European Union (EU) to change its "irresponsible behaviour" towards Tehran following discussions with a senior EU diplomat in Geneva on Friday (Nov 29).

Iran has urged the European Union (EU) to change its "irresponsible behaviour" towards Tehran following discussions with a senior EU diplomat in Geneva on Friday (Nov 29). Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the EU had been asked to "abandon its self-centred and irresponsible behaviour towards issues and challenges of this continent and international matters." The statement came after the Iranian delegation met Enrique Mora, the deputy secretary general of the EU’s foreign affairs department. Key talks with Britain, France, and Germany on horizon The talks took place ahead of a separate meeting between Britain, France, and Germany with Iranian representatives to address Iran's nuclear programme. However, few details about the agenda were disclosed by the countries’ foreign ministries. Also read: Mexican president says 'no tariff war' in future with US On Thursday, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, and Gharibabadi also held discussions with Mora. Mora later commented on X that the meeting involved a "frank exchange" on several issues, including Iran's military support to Russia, which he said "has to stop," the need for a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear activities, regional tensions, and human rights concerns. UN nuclear watchdog says Iran to install thousands of new centrifuges In a related development, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed on Friday that Iran plans to install approximately 6,000 additional centrifuges to enhance uranium enrichment. According to a report cited by AFP, these centrifuges at the Fordo and Natanz facilities would enable Iran to enrich uranium to levels of up to five per cent, exceeding the 3.67 per cent cap set under the 2015 nuclear agreement. Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes. However, the IAEA has pointed out that Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state enriching uranium to a level as high as 60 per cent. Israel would do "everything" to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Thursday that Israel would do "everything" to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. This statement followed remarks from Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi, who warned that Iran might reconsider its ban on developing nuclear weapons if Western sanctions continue. In an interview with The Guardian published on Thursday, Araghchi expressed frustration over unmet commitments, such as the lifting of sanctions, which has sparked internal debate in Tehran over a possible shift in its nuclear policy. Also read: Thanksgiving bomb threats target multiple Dems in the US state of Connecticut “We have no intention to go further than 60 per cent for the time being, and this is our determination right now,” Araghchi said. However, he elaborated, “there is this debate going on in Iran, and mostly among the elites… whether we should change our nuclear doctrine,” as the current approach has proven "insufficient in practice." The 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and major world powers sought to ease sanctions on Tehran in return for curbs on its nuclear activities to prevent weapon development. However, the deal has faced repeated challenges and setbacks, leaving its future uncertain. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran asks EU to end 'self-centred and irresponsible behaviour' ahead of key nuclear talks

Iran to raise Uranium enrichment level from 3.67% to 5%. Iran set to announce further reductions of N deal. Iran President talks to french counterpart on phone. Watch this video to know more.

Iran to increase Uranium enrichment to 5%

Iran announces new breach of nuclear deal