US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Mar 5) indicated that he wanted to start from scratch in Iran and "clean out" the leadership. He hinted that he had some names in mind for a "good leader" who could take over from the Iranian leadership. Who does the POTUS want to lead Tehran? Here's what we know.<h2>Step 1: "clean out everything"</h2>In a telephonic interview with NBC News, Trump revealed US plans for Iran and said, "We want to go in and clean out everything". The US president said that they "don’t want someone who would rebuild over a 10-year period".He described the leader as "good" and said that they "have some people who I think would do a good job".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/america-s-deadliest-war-crime-investigation-finds-us-likely-responsible-for-devastating-school-strike-that-killed-150-iranian-girls-1772766411530">US investigation admits America may be responsible for devastating school strike that killed over 150 Iranian girls</a><h2>But who does Trump want in power in Iran?</h2>Trump coyly refused to take any names but said that he was making sure that the people he had in mind survive the ongoing war between US-Israel and Iran. "We are watching them, yeah," he said.Previously, he told NBC that while he doesn't know who would lead Iran next, "but at some point they’ll be calling me to ask who I’d like".A power vacuum in IranIran faces a power vacuum since the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint strike by Israel and the US. Khamenei's assassination was part of the coordinated airstrikes by Washington and Tel Aviv, with Israel calling the campaign Operation Lion’s Roar and Washington naming it Operation Epic Fury.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-no-matter-where-he-hides-israeli-defence-minister-threatens-to-assassinate-any-successor-to-iran-s-khamenei-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-1772613368778">'No matter where he hides': Israeli Defence Minister threatens to 'assassinate' any successor to Iran's Khamenei</a>Khamenei's death was confirmed on March 1. The joint strikes which took him out also killed several senior Iranian figures.Recent reports suggested that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been elected as the next Supreme Leader by Iran's Assembly of Experts. However, Iran on Mar 4 rubbished the reports. In a post shared via the Consulate General in Mumbai X account, Iran said that the "reports circulating on media regarding potential candidates for leadership selected by Iran's Assembly of Experts have no official source and are officially denied."

Is the US planning a regime change in Iran after the war? Donald Trump says he wants to “clean out” Iran’s leadership and hinted he already has people in mind to lead the country after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. But who could replace him? Scroll down to read more.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Mar 5) indicated that he wanted to start from scratch in Iran and "clean out" the leadership. He hinted that he had some names in mind for a "good leader" who could take over from the Iranian leadership. Who does the POTUS want to lead Tehran? Here's what we know. Step 1: "clean out everything" In a telephonic interview with NBC News, Trump revealed US plans for Iran and said, "We want to go in and clean out everything". The US president said that they "don’t want someone who would rebuild over a 10-year period". He described the leader as "good" and said that they "have some people who I think would do a good job". Also read | US investigation admits America may be responsible for devastating school strike that killed over 150 Iranian girls But who does Trump want in power in Iran? Trump coyly refused to take any names but said that he was making sure that the people he had in mind survive the ongoing war between US-Israel and Iran. "We are watching them, yeah," he said. Previously, he told NBC that while he doesn't know who would lead Iran next, "but at some point they’ll be calling me to ask who I’d like". A power vacuum in Iran Iran faces a power vacuum since the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint strike by Israel and the US. Khamenei's assassination was part of the coordinated airstrikes by Washington and Tel Aviv, with Israel calling the campaign Operation Lion’s Roar and Washington naming it Operation Epic Fury. Also read | 'No matter where he hides': Israeli Defence Minister threatens to 'assassinate' any successor to Iran's Khamenei Khamenei's death was confirmed on March 1. The joint strikes which took him out also killed several senior Iranian figures. Recent reports suggested that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been elected as the next Supreme Leader by Iran's Assembly of Experts. However, Iran on Mar 4 rubbished the reports. In a post shared via the Consulate General in Mumbai X account, Iran said that the "reports circulating on media regarding potential candidates for leadership selected by Iran's Assembly of Experts have no official source and are officially denied."

Is the US planning a regime change in Iran after the war? Donald Trump says he wants to “clean out” Iran’s leadership and hinted he already has people in mind to lead the country after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. But who could replace him? Scroll down to read more.

'Clean out': Trump wants Iran’s leadership removed, says THIS is his Khamenei successor pick. Find out who!

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed the Condolence Book at the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi on Thursday on behalf of the Government of India, met Iranian Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Fathali, and offered condolences for the slain Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Misri’s visit to the Iranian Embassy and formal signing of the condolence book mark India’s first official response to the airstrike that claimed Khamenei’s life.&nbsp;&nbsp;The condolence book for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was opened on Thursday, and Russian ambassador Denis Alipov was among the first to sign the book.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signs the condolence book for Iran&#39;s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi <a href="https://t.co/KXGxFUOgCn">pic.twitter.com/KXGxFUOgCn</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2029510619700035836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-and-israel-of-trying-to-drag-arab-countries-into-wider-middle-east-conflict-1772705254973">Russia accuses US and Israel of trying to drag Arab countries into wider Middle East conflict</a>&nbsp;The US-Israeli airstrike that killed Khamenei has escalated the conflict in the Middle East, drawing condolences from various countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri signs the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, offering condolences for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei . . . . Video: ANI <a href="https://t.co/aqiQ2L2p0V">pic.twitter.com/aqiQ2L2p0V</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2029511786492559638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a “swift end” to hostilities and emphasised that “no issue can be resolved through military confrontation.”PM Modi made the remarks following wide-ranging talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb on Thursday, as the United States and Israel’s military operations in Iran entered their sixth day, with both sides launching fresh strikes.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-seafarer-killed-in-missile-strike-on-tanker-in-strait-of-hormuz-1772707708065">Mumbai seafarer killed in missile strike on tanker in Strait of Hormuz</a>&nbsp;The 86-year-old former Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran had been ruling the country since 1989 and was killed in a combined military operation launched by the United States and Israel in the early hours of Saturday.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/azerbaijan-to-enter-war-iranian-drones-target-airport-govt-warns-of-retaliation-1772700456899">Azerbaijan to enter war? Iranian drones hit airport, govt warns of retaliation | VIDEO</a>&nbsp;India had not issued a statement since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict but had urged all the involved parties to immediately de-escalate. It had also remained silent over the death of Ali Khamenei.&nbsp;

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Iranian Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Fathali, and offered condolences for the slain Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The condolence book for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was opened earlier on Thursday.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed the Condolence Book at the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi on Thursday on behalf of the Government of India, met Iranian Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Fathali, and offered condolences for the slain Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Misri’s visit to the Iranian Embassy and formal signing of the condolence book mark India’s first official response to the airstrike that claimed Khamenei’s life. The condolence book for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was opened on Thursday, and Russian ambassador Denis Alipov was among the first to sign the book.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Iranian Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Fathali, and offered condolences for the slain Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The condolence book for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was opened earlier on Thursday.

India’s foreign secretary signs condolence book at Iranian embassy, offers condolences for Khamenei

Iran on Wednesday (Mar 4) rubbished reports that Mojtaba Khamenei has been named as the nation's Supreme Leader after his father Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination in joint United States-Israel strikes. Issuing a statement via the Consulate General in Mumbai, the Iranian Government on X dismissed media reports on the supposed succession.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-no-matter-where-he-hides-israeli-defence-minister-threatens-to-assassinate-any-successor-to-iran-s-khamenei-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-1772613368778">'No matter where he hides': Katz threatens to 'assassinate' Khamenei's successor</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Reports circulating on media regarding potential candidates for leadership selected by Iran’s Assembly of Experts have no official source and are officially denied.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AssemblyOfExperts?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AssemblyOfExperts</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FactCheck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FactCheck</a> <a href="https://t.co/g9b9znt8j8">pic.twitter.com/g9b9znt8j8</a>&mdash; Consulate General of the I.R. Iran in Mumbai (@IRANinMumbai) <a href="https://twitter.com/IRANinMumbai/status/2029075963708096547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?</h2>Earlier, media reports suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei had been selected to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, now the Iranian government, in an X post made via its Consulate General in Mumbai, rubbished the succession claims. It said that the "reports circulating on media regarding potential candidates for leadership selected by Iran's Assembly of Experts have no official source and are officially denied."&nbsp;WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Has Iran already chosen its next supreme leader after Ali Khamenei was killed? Reports claimed Mojtaba Khamenei had been selected, but Tehran has now strongly denied it. 

Scroll down to read more.

Iran on Wednesday (Mar 4) rubbished reports that Mojtaba Khamenei has been named as the nation's Supreme Leader after his father Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination in joint United States-Israel strikes. Issuing a statement via the Consulate General in Mumbai, the Iranian Government on X dismissed media reports on the supposed succession. Also read | 'No matter where he hides': Katz threatens to 'assassinate' Khamenei's successor

Has Iran already chosen its next supreme leader after Ali Khamenei was killed? Reports claimed Mojtaba Khamenei had been selected, but Tehran has now strongly denied it.&nbsp;Scroll down to read more.

Iran denies Mojtaba Khamenei named supreme leader: Tehran slams 'fake' reports on succession

Two days after the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint US-Israel strike, US President Donald Trump said, "I got him before he got me. They tried twice. Well, I got him first." He was hinting at US intelligence agency reports which alleged a possible 2024 Iranian plot to kill Trump.&nbsp;The US President made these statements while speaking with a US journalist on the phone. "I just spoke to President Trump for several minutes about Iran. I asked him about who is going to take over now that the Ayatollah, the Supreme Leader, is gone, and his answer was interesting. He said the attack was so successful it knocked out most of the candidates," ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/attacks-on-iran-will-continue-until-all-of-our-objectives-are-achieved-trump-issues-fresh-warning-1772408635896">Attacks on Iran will ‘continue until all of our objectives are achieved’: Trump issues fresh warning</a>&nbsp;"He told me it's not going to be anybody that we were thinking of because they're all dead. I talked to him about the fact that the Iranians had tried to kill him. There was a plot in 2024, an Iranian plot to try to kill Trump, and he said of the Ayatollah, 'I got him before he got me. They tried twice. Well, I got him first,'" Karl added in a video posted on X.&nbsp;On the three American casualties in the Iran operations, Trump stated, "It’s war, and you have casualties in war." In a self-praising tone, the US President said that with all the operations he has conducted as president in Venezuela, the one last summer in Iran, and this one, the total American casualty count is three.&nbsp;The US-Israeli operation in Iran entered its third day after assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a precision strike on a high-security compound in Tehran. Several other top leaders were also killed after the US and Israel launched a massive coordinated aerial campaign on Saturday.&nbsp;The strikes, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion by Israel and Operation Epic Fury by the United States, struck multiple sites across Iran. The strikes targeted government buildings in Tehran and suspected nuclear facilities, specifically aiming to decapitate the highest levels of Iranian leadership.&nbsp;In retaliation, Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched strikes on Israel, US military bases, and its allies across West Asia, including Qatar, Iraq, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.Meanwhile, Trump threatened Iranian forces to put down their weapons and called on Iran's people to rise to "take back your country" as this is "the single greatest chance" after Khamenei's death.&nbsp;"I once again urge the [IRGC], the Iranian military and police to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death. It will be certain death. It won't be pretty," he said.&nbsp;Tehran vowed to avenge the death of the Supreme Leader and declared that it would not negotiate with the United States.

Trump was hinting at US intelligence agency reports which alleged a possible 2024 Iranian plot to kill him.

Two days after the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint US-Israel strike, US President Donald Trump said, "I got him before he got me. They tried twice. Well, I got him first." He was hinting at US intelligence agency reports which alleged a possible 2024 Iranian plot to kill Trump. The US President made these statements while speaking with a US journalist on the phone. "I just spoke to President Trump for several minutes about Iran. I asked him about who is going to take over now that the Ayatollah, the Supreme Leader, is gone, and his answer was interesting. He said the attack was so successful it knocked out most of the candidates," ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl said. Also Read: Attacks on Iran will ‘continue until all of our objectives are achieved’: Trump issues fresh warning "He told me it's not going to be anybody that we were thinking of because they're all dead. I talked to him about the fact that the Iranians had tried to kill him. There was a plot in 2024, an Iranian plot to try to kill Trump, and he said of the Ayatollah, 'I got him before he got me. They tried twice. Well, I got him first,'" Karl added in a video posted on X. On the three American casualties in the Iran operations, Trump stated, "It’s war, and you have casualties in war." In a self-praising tone, the US President said that with all the operations he has conducted as president in Venezuela, the one last summer in Iran, and this one, the total American casualty count is three. The US-Israeli operation in Iran entered its third day after assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a precision strike on a high-security compound in Tehran. Several other top leaders were also killed after the US and Israel launched a massive coordinated aerial campaign on Saturday. The strikes, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion by Israel and Operation Epic Fury by the United States, struck multiple sites across Iran. The strikes targeted government buildings in Tehran and suspected nuclear facilities, specifically aiming to decapitate the highest levels of Iranian leadership. In retaliation, Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched strikes on Israel, US military bases, and its allies across West Asia, including Qatar, Iraq, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Meanwhile, Trump threatened Iranian forces to put down their weapons and called on Iran's people to rise to "take back your country" as this is "the single greatest chance" after Khamenei's death. "I once again urge the [IRGC], the Iranian military and police to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death. It will be certain death. It won't be pretty," he said. Tehran vowed to avenge the death of the Supreme Leader and declared that it would not negotiate with the United States.

Trump was hinting at US intelligence agency reports which alleged a possible 2024 Iranian plot to kill him .

I got him before he got me: Trump reveals personal motive behind Khamenei assassination strike

The USS Abraham Lincoln faces direct Iranian hypersonic missile threats in the Arabian Sea, while the USS Gerald Ford battles severe mechanical fatigue after 241 days deployed at sea.

USS Abraham Lincoln or USS Gerald Ford: Which is more at Risk?

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (Mar 01) said he would be talking to Iranian leaders but did not specify the timing, AFP reported, citing The Atlantic. The US-Israeli operation in Iran entered its second day after assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Saturday in a precision strike on the Pasteur Street compound in central Tehran.&nbsp;"They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner," Trump was quoted as saying by The Atlantic, as US and Israeli forces press a war against Iran for a second day.&nbsp;The US president asserted that Iran should have "done it sooner, they could have made a deal. They played too cute," while adding that "most of those people are gone," referring to the Iranian leadership which has been in years of on-and-off talks with the US and other Western governments.&nbsp;In a separate interview, Trump claimed that 48 senior Iranian leaders had been killed in the military strikes that were launched by the United States and Israel in the early hours of Saturday.&nbsp;"Nobody can believe the success we're having; 48 leaders are gone in one shot. And it's moving along rapidly," Trump was quoted as saying in an interview by Fox News.&nbsp;The United States and Israel launched a coordinated decapitation military campaign specifically targeting the top leadership of the Islamic Republic. The strikes, codenamed Operation Epic Fury by the US and Operation Roaring Lion (or Shield of Judah) by Israel, also hit key sites in Iran, including government buildings, military headquarters in Tehran, and suspected nuclear facilities.&nbsp;Earlier in the day, the Iranian embassy in Jakarta welcomed Indonesia's offer to mediate between Tehran and Washington, indicating a softening in Tehran’s stance, even as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed the "most intense offensive operation in history" following the death of Khamenei.&nbsp;(Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.)

Trump claimed that 48 senior Iranian leaders had been killed in the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (Mar 01) said he would be talking to Iranian leaders but did not specify the timing, AFP reported, citing The Atlantic. The US-Israeli operation in Iran entered its second day after assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Saturday in a precision strike on the Pasteur Street compound in central Tehran. "They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner," Trump was quoted as saying by The Atlantic, as US and Israeli forces press a war against Iran for a second day. The US president asserted that Iran should have "done it sooner, they could have made a deal. They played too cute," while adding that "most of those people are gone," referring to the Iranian leadership which has been in years of on-and-off talks with the US and other Western governments. In a separate interview, Trump claimed that 48 senior Iranian leaders had been killed in the military strikes that were launched by the United States and Israel in the early hours of Saturday. "Nobody can believe the success we're having; 48 leaders are gone in one shot. And it's moving along rapidly," Trump was quoted as saying in an interview by Fox News. The United States and Israel launched a coordinated decapitation military campaign specifically targeting the top leadership of the Islamic Republic. The strikes, codenamed Operation Epic Fury by the US and Operation Roaring Lion (or Shield of Judah) by Israel, also hit key sites in Iran, including government buildings, military headquarters in Tehran, and suspected nuclear facilities. Earlier in the day, the Iranian embassy in Jakarta welcomed Indonesia's offer to mediate between Tehran and Washington, indicating a softening in Tehran’s stance, even as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed the "most intense offensive operation in history" following the death of Khamenei. (Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.)

Trump claimed that 48 senior Iranian leaders had been killed in the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday.

'I will be talking to them': Trump says Iran's new leaders want to talk after killing of Khamenei

Among the figures attracting attention is Mojtaba Khamenei, the second-eldest son of the late Supreme Leader, long regarded as a powerful yet behind-the-scenes actor within Iran’s political and security apparatus.

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei? After US–Israel strikes killed Ali Khamenei, could his son inherit supreme leadership of Iran?

US' dual‑carrier deployment is part of a broader military build‑up ordered by US President Donald Trump amid stalled negotiations over Iran’s nuclear enrichment and mounting strategic pressure.

Strikes or extended campaign? What will be Trump’s next move as USS Gerald R. Ford set to join USS Abraham Lincoln in Middle East

As tensions simmer between Washington and Tehran, US President Donald Trump is weighing options that go far beyond diplomacy, suggest reports. The POTUS is reportedly considering "taking out" the nation's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Imam Ali Khamenei, his son and the mullahs. Here's what we know.<h2>Trump to order Ayatollah's assassination?</h2>According to an Axios report citing multiple sources, Trump is considering multiple scenarios, including one that involves the assassination of Iran's supreme leader and his potential successor, his son, Mojtaba.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-claims-breakthrough-in-geneva-talks-vance-says-tehran-ignoring-trump-s-red-lines-1771375814136">Iran claims breakthrough in Geneva talks, Vance says Tehran ignoring Trump's 'red lines'</a>"They have something for every scenario. One scenario takes out the ayatollah and his son and the mullahs," a senior Trump advisor told the publication. However, the adviser insisted that Trump has not decided yet, "What the president chooses no one knows. I don't think he knows."Another senior official on the Trump administration confirmed that the plan to kill Khamenei and his son Mojtaba was presented to Trump weeks ago.<h2>Trump ‘keeping his options open’</h2>"Trump is keeping his options open. He could decide on an attack at any moment," including direct action against the country’s top leadership, said a third person in the Trump administration.<h2>Military pressure builds</h2>The reports surfaced as Trump on Thursday (Feb 19) acknowledged he is considering a limited strike on Iran, if the nation did not strike a deal with the US within 10-15 days. When asked directly by a reporter, he replied, "The most I can say, I am considering it."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ahead-of-us-iran-talks-in-geneva-warns-iran-of-consequences-if-nuclear-deal-fails-what-bout-uss-abraham-lincoln-1771295379775">Trump, ahead of US-Iran talks in Geneva, warns Tehran of 'consequences' if nuclear deal fails</a>In recent weeks, the US has ramped up its military presence in the Middle East. After deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group earlier this year, Washington ordered a second aircraft carrier, the Gerald Ford, to head to the region. The move is widely seen as leverage, aimed at pushing Tehran to curb its nuclear programme.Trump has warned that "bad things" would happen if Iran does not reach a deal before his deadline expires.&nbsp;<h2>Talks continue</h2>The latest escalation comes even as negotiations inch forward. Following talks in Geneva, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a draft proposal could be ready within days and would be handed to US envoy Steve Witkoff after final approval in Tehran.Araghchi pushed back on claims that Washington demanded zero uranium enrichment. "We have not offered any suspension, and the US side has not asked for zero enrichment," he said in an interview to US TV network MS NOW. The focus, he insisted, is ensuring Iran’s nuclear programme "is peaceful and would remain peaceful forever". &nbsp;

As tensions rise between Washington and Tehran, reports say President Donald Trump is weighing options that go beyond diplomacy, including a scenario involving the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba. Here's all we know.

As tensions simmer between Washington and Tehran, US President Donald Trump is weighing options that go far beyond diplomacy, suggest reports. The POTUS is reportedly considering "taking out" the nation's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Imam Ali Khamenei, his son and the mullahs. Here's what we know. Trump to order Ayatollah's assassination? According to an Axios report citing multiple sources, Trump is considering multiple scenarios, including one that involves the assassination of Iran's supreme leader and his potential successor, his son, Mojtaba. Also read | Iran claims breakthrough in Geneva talks, Vance says Tehran ignoring Trump's 'red lines' "They have something for every scenario. One scenario takes out the ayatollah and his son and the mullahs," a senior Trump advisor told the publication. However, the adviser insisted that Trump has not decided yet, "What the president chooses no one knows. I don't think he knows." Another senior official on the Trump administration confirmed that the plan to kill Khamenei and his son Mojtaba was presented to Trump weeks ago. Trump ‘keeping his options open’ "Trump is keeping his options open. He could decide on an attack at any moment," including direct action against the country’s top leadership, said a third person in the Trump administration. Military pressure builds The reports surfaced as Trump on Thursday (Feb 19) acknowledged he is considering a limited strike on Iran, if the nation did not strike a deal with the US within 10-15 days. When asked directly by a reporter, he replied, "The most I can say, I am considering it." Also read | Trump, ahead of US-Iran talks in Geneva, warns Tehran of 'consequences' if nuclear deal fails In recent weeks, the US has ramped up its military presence in the Middle East. After deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group earlier this year, Washington ordered a second aircraft carrier, the Gerald Ford, to head to the region. The move is widely seen as leverage, aimed at pushing Tehran to curb its nuclear programme. Trump has warned that "bad things" would happen if Iran does not reach a deal before his deadline expires. Talks continue The latest escalation comes even as negotiations inch forward. Following talks in Geneva, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a draft proposal could be ready within days and would be handed to US envoy Steve Witkoff after final approval in Tehran. Araghchi pushed back on claims that Washington demanded zero uranium enrichment. "We have not offered any suspension, and the US side has not asked for zero enrichment," he said in an interview to US TV network MS NOW. The focus, he insisted, is ensuring Iran’s nuclear programme "is peaceful and would remain peaceful forever".

As tensions rise between Washington and Tehran, reports say President Donald Trump is weighing options that go beyond diplomacy, including a scenario involving the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba. Here's all we know.

Did Trump order Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination? Here's what new report suggests

US deployments in the Middle East have expanded in recent weeks, signalling what officials describe as readiness for multiple contingencies.

‘Conflict more likely than settlement?’ US and Iran on brink of war as military surge crushes fragile diplomacy!

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