US President Donald Trump has been briefed on several military scenarios against Iran, including a controversial option that would involve a direct attack on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba Khamenei, according to reports citing senior US officials and advisers.
The reported conversations show that the Pentagon has presented a number of military scenarios to Trump amid rising tensions with Tehran. One of the most dramatic options reportedly suggested would be the beheading of Iran’s top leadership, a move that would represent an unprecedented escalation of US-Iran hostility.
No final decision has been taken yet
Senior administration sources stressed that no final decision has been taken yet. The advisors mentioned in the report said that Trump has not given permission for any attack and has kept all options open. He described the situation as changing and highly dependent on diplomatic developments.
A senior Trump adviser was quoted as saying, “The President has not yet decided to attack. I know this because we have not attacked. He may never do it. He may wake up tomorrow and say, ‘Enough’.” The advisor reportedly said that the Pentagon had given Trump several options. “He has something for every situation. One situation is to kill the ayatollahs and their sons and the mullahs,” one adviser was quoted as saying, referring to Khamenei and his son, who are being seen as potential successors. “No one knows what the president chooses. I don’t think he knows.” A second source reportedly confirmed that the plan to kill Khamenei and his son was told to Trump several weeks ago. Another senior Trump advisor was quoted as saying, “Trump is keeping his options open. He can decide to attack at any time.”