Tehran could begin building nuclear weapons if the United States strikes Iran's underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow, US intelligence services believe, sources said, reports The New York Times (NYT).

In their opinion, the assassination of the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by Israel could also push Iran to build nuclear weapons.

US intelligence agencies believe that Tehran has not yet made a final decision on building a nuclear bomb, the NYT notes.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that according to the Washington administration, Iran has the ability to build a nuclear weapon within weeks if its leadership makes such a decision.

On June 13, Israel attacked Iran, and this was followed by retaliatory measures by Iran. Military actions between the two countries are continuing to this day.