Kanal13The Trump administration is even prepared to accept a proposal that would allow Iran to “symbolically” enrich uranium, if it prevents it from developing a nuclear bomb. However, at the same time, Trump is considering options for a strike against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his son. The US’s willingness to accept a “symbolic” deal indicates a potential gap between US red lines and Iran’s efforts to prevent war. However, the US is also prepared to take more radical action, Axios reports , citing sources. At the same time, Trump was presented with military plans for further developments. These plans envisage the elimination of Ali Khamenei and his primary successor, his son.
“The bar for a future Iranian nuclear proposal is very high, as the plan must convince many skeptics within the Trump administration and in the region,” unnamed US officials said. The Iranians will lose their chances if they “continue to play games,” and Trump will make a deal that he can “sell politically” in his own country. If the Iranians want to prevent an attack on them, they must offer the Trump administration a deal the US cannot refuse, officials say. Possible options for a US military operation against Iran include targeted strikes against individual members of the ayatollah regime, as well as a complete change of leadership—if President Donald Trump gives the order. Reuters reported this on February 20, citing two American officials. “During his first term, Trump already demonstrated a willingness to engage in targeted assassinations, approving the assassination in 2020 of a senior military official, General Qasem Soleimani , who headed foreign intelligence and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ paramilitary arm, the Quds Force,” the publication notes. One Reuters source emphasized the success of Israel’s operation to assassinate Iranian leaders during Operation People Like a Lion in 2025.
According to regional sources, at least 20 high-ranking Iranian officers were killed, including the country’s Chief of Staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri. “The 12-day war and Israeli strikes on individual targets demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach,” the US official said, adding that priority was given to those involved in the command and control of the IRGC forces. At the same time, the official warned that targeted strikes against regime representatives require significant intelligence resources. “To eliminate a specific commander, it is necessary to know his exact location and assess who else might be harmed during the operation. Reuters’ sources were unaware of the intelligence the US authorities had on Iranian leaders, potential US targets. The White House and the Pentagon have not yet commented on the agency’s inquiries,” Reuters concluded. However, some advisers are trying to dampen the US president’s ardor, urging him to be patient. Whether this will work is unknown, as Trump could issue the order at any moment. The American leader continues to keep all options open.
The Pentagon is currently offering Trump numerous options for how things will unfold. However, no one knows which plan the politician might choose. “They have something for every scenario. One scenario is to eliminate the ayatollah, his son, and the mullahs,” the source said, while another confirmed this information, stating that this option was proposed to the president several weeks ago.
