New Delhi: Trump weighs options against Iran’s top leadership as tension escalate Weighs Strike Options Against Iran’s Top Leadership as Tensions Escalate
US President Donald Trump has been briefed on a range of military options that reportedly include a targeted strike on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba Khamenei. The development was first reported by Axios, citing senior officials within the administration.
According to the report, one of the scenarios discussed involved eliminating Iran’s top leadership figures including Khamenei and clerical authorities close to him. However, officials stressed that no final decision has been taken so far. A senior adviser was quoted as saying that the President has not authorised any strike and may ultimately choose not to act.
Sources even indicate that multiple plans have been placed before Trump by the US Defence Department, covering a range of possible responses. While the option of targeting Iran’s leadership has been under consideration for weeks, aides say Trump is keeping his choices open and has not committed to a specific course of action.
Strategic ambiguity and rising pressure
Another senior official suggested that the President is deliberately maintaining strategic ambiguity. As per the insider sources, the message is that action could come at any time or not at all. The White House declined to comment on specific military discussions with spokesperson Anna Kelly saying only that speculation about the President’s thinking was premature.
A direct strike on Iran’s Supreme Leader would represent a dramatic escalation in already fragile relations between Washington and Tehran. Analysts even warn that such a move could trigger a broader regional crisis across the Middle East.
Nuclear talks continue amid military build-up
Even as tensions rise, indirect talks between US and Iranian officials are continuing in Geneva. Washington is pushing Tehran to agree to a stronger nuclear deal and curb its enrichment activities. Trump even warned Iran on Thursday, saying Tehran must agree to a meaningful nuclear deal or “bad things will happen”. On the other hand, Iran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes and rejects accusations that it is pursuing weapons capability.
Amid the rising reports of possible American strikes on Iran, the US has deployed one of its largest concentrations of air power to the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq war. The deployment includes advanced fighter jets, F-35s and F-22s, and has been conducted alongside naval assets such as the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Another carrier strike group is also on its way.
The US Navy already has 13 ships in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean including the aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R Ford.
With military forces moving into position and diplomacy making limited progress, the situation seems to be entering a very decisive phase. Whether it will end through negotiations or confrontation remains uncertain.