The White House moves forward with high stakes nuclear diplomacy with Tehran, Donald Trump has reportedly been given military options that include targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba.
US scenario was one of several backup plans the Pentagon had created, along with more specific options centered on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
According to one adviser cited in the report, officials had planned for “every scenario” while another source claimed that weeks prior, the president had discussed a plan involving Khamenei and his son.
The report comes as Washington and Tehran get ready to resume negotiations later this week in Geneva, where Oman will serve as a mediator.
Following proposals and public warnings about what would happen if diplomacy failed, the Associated Press reported that the next round is set for Thursday.
Talks in Geneva
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reiterated Tehran insistence that it has a right to peaceful enrichment while stating that Iran is finalizing a written proposal centered on the nuclear file.
In a well known conflict over red lines, US officials have publicly called on Iran to cease enriching uranium and guarantee it cannot produce a nuclear weapon.
According to Time magazine, the administration has also heightened its military presence in the region during the course of the negotiations, with the White House saying that Trump favors a deal but is keeping other alternatives alive.
Neither Washington nor Tehran has admitted to any intention to attack Khamenei, and an attack on him would represent a radical escalation of a rivalry that has been strained by sanctions, proxy wars and numerous crises over Iran’s nuclear program.
