‘Khamenei Assassination To Token Nuclear Enrichment’: Report Flags Trump’s Iran Options

‘Khamenei Assassination To Token Nuclear Enrichment’: Report Flags Trump’s Iran Options

Updated 21 February 2026 at 17:32 IST

The Pentagon has reportedly supplied Donald Trump with just a few navy contingencies amid escalating tensions with Tehran. “They have something for every scenario. One scenario takes out the ayatollah and his son and the mullahs,” an adviser has reportedly talked about.

Will US Strike Iran? Trump's Decision Pending Amid Military Buildup In Middle-East

‘Khamenei Assassination To Token Nuclear Enrichment’: File Flags Trump’s Iran Choices | Image:
Reuters

Recent Delhi: US President Donald Trump has been briefed on a spectrum of navy eventualities towards Iran, including a controversial choice that entails a straight away strike on its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, basically basically based on reports citing senior American officers and advisers.

The reported discussions counsel the Pentagon has supplied Trump with just a few navy contingencies amid escalating tensions with Tehran. One in every of potentially the most dramatic alternate choices allegedly outlined would have decapitating Iran’s top leadership, a transfer that would designate an unprecedented escalation in US-Iran hostilities.

Nonetheless, senior administration sources emphasised that no final choice has been taken but. Advisers quoted within the reports indicated that Trump has no longer accepted any strike and continues to support all alternate choices begin, describing the anguish as fluid and extremely contingent on diplomatic inclinations.

“The President hasn’t decided to strike yet. I know that because we haven’t struck. He might never do it. He might wake up tomorrow and say, ‘That’s it,'” one senior Trump adviser is quoted as saying. The adviser reportedly talked about the Pentagon had supplied Trump with a lot of alternate choices. “They have something for every scenario. One scenario takes out the ayatollah and his son and the mullahs,” an adviser is quoted as saying, referring to Khamenei and his son, who is seen as a potential successor. “What the President chooses no one knows. I don’t think he knows.” A 2d source reportedly confirmed a opinion to extinguish Khamenei and his son changed into floated to Trump several weeks ago. One more senior Trump adviser is quoted as saying, “Trump is keeping his options open. He could decide on an attack at any moment.”

Nuclear Deal Window Narrowing

The navy briefings near as Washington and Tehran remain locked in excessive-stakes negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. Whereas Trump has publicly insisted that Iran need to no longer be allowed to counterpoint uranium, US officers private indicated there would be restricted flexibility, potentially allowing tightly restricted or “token” enrichment if it eliminates any pathway to weaponisation.

A senior US legitimate reportedly talked about Trump’s role changed into “zero enrichment” on Iranian soil. Nevertheless the legitimate talked about that if the proposal entails “small, token enrichment”, and if the Iranians offer detailed proof that it poses no threat, the US will reportedly study it.

Iran, for its part, maintains that its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes and insists enrichment is a sovereign right. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said a detailed proposal would be finalised in the next two or three days, though US and Israeli officials have said that Trump could strike as soon as this weekend.

Behind the scenes, advisers appear divided. Some argue that continued military build-up increases Washington’s leverage, others caution that striking Iran’s leadership could trigger a regional conflagration.

White House officials have declined to comment on specific operational plans, reiterating that only the President will determine the course of action. Trump himself has signalled impatience, warning Tehran to agree to a “fair deal” or face consequences.

Responding to media speculation, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly declined to comment on specific military plans. “The media may continue to speculate on the President’s thinking all they want, but only President Trump knows what he may or may not do,” she said.

Trump has warned Iran, saying Tehran must agree to a meaningful nuclear deal or “bad things will happen”, even as indirect talks continue in Geneva, Switzerland, to defuse rising tensions.

Officials suggest the administration is awaiting Tehran’s formal proposal before deciding whether diplomacy or force will define the next phase of confrontation.

Published By : Deepti Verma

Published On: 21 February 2026 at 17:32 IST

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