The Trump administration is considering a variety of options regarding Iran, including the possibility of eliminating Ayatollah Khamenei and his son, who may become his successor. As reported on February 21 by Axios, this information came from a senior advisor to the US president.
According to the source, Washington has plans for various scenarios of events.
“One of the options includes the elimination of the Ayatollah, his son, and other religious leaders. What choice the president will make remains unknown,” the interlocutor noted.
Another source confirmed that the plan was presented to Trump several weeks ago.
The article also states that the US is willing to consider an agreement that would allow Iran to engage in “symbolic” uranium enrichment, provided that it does not lead to the creation of nuclear weapons. American officials emphasize that the demands on Tehran remain very high.
One administration representative stated that the president might agree to a deal if it is “substantive” and acceptable for domestic politics. Otherwise, Washington's patience may run out.
According to information from American and Israeli sources cited by Axios, Trump may decide on a military attack against Iran in the coming days.
Despite the resumption of negotiations on the nuclear program, relations between the US and Iran remain tense. The latest round of US-Iranian consultations concluded on February 17 in Geneva.
As reported by one American official, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner informed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Washington's position, which is to prevent uranium enrichment on Iranian territory. However, the US is willing to consider a compromise option if security guarantees are provided.
Mediators from Oman and Qatar, according to sources, are urging both sides to reach an agreement that would allow them to announce a diplomatic victory and be acceptable to regional countries and Israel.
US Vice President Mike Pence previously emphasized that the main “red line” for Washington remains preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. In turn, Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran does not plan to possess such weapons.
One of the Axios sources characterized the recent negotiations in Geneva as “a hamburger filled with nothing,” and estimated the likelihood of military conflict between the US and Iran at about 90%.
