US planning to kill Khamenei and his son? What report reveals
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKFebruary 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The United States is reportedly considering extreme military options against Iran, including scenarios that involve targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba, who is seen as a potential successor. This plan was discussed by senior US officials, with one advisor stating that "one scenario takes out the Ayatollah and his son and the mullahs." While President Donald Trump has confirmed he is weighing limited military actions despite ongoing nuclear negotiations, it remains unclear whether such extreme measures would be pursued.
The situation arises amid a significant US military buildup in the Middle East, with additional warships, aircraft, and air defense systems deployed. Two US aircraft carriers have been positioned near Iran, and hundreds of troops have been redeployed across key bases in the region. This deployment marks the largest US military presence in the area in over two decades.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has indicated that Tehran is prepared for both diplomacy and war. He suggested that a draft proposal could be finalized within days, but warned that any attack on Iran’s leadership would be seen as an existential threat. Iran has already declared that US bases and assets in the region would become targets if attacked, with tens of thousands of American troops stationed across the Middle East at risk.
Experts caution that targeting Iran’s leaders could ignite a far deadlier conflict, given Tehran’s stated readiness to retaliate against US interests in the region. The potential for escalation is high, with both sides signaling their preparedness for confrontation. This
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/22/2026