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20 Feb 2026, 15:41

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Reuters: Regime Change; Trump's Final Option in the Scenario of Attacking the Islamic Republic

Reuters has revealed in an exclusive report, citing two American officials, that U.S. military planning against the Islamic Republic has reached advanced stages, including options for "regime change" in Tehran if diplomacy fails. According to this news agency, Donald Trump has recently publicly suggested the idea of replacing the current leadership of Iran, describing it as "the best thing that could happen." American officials note that this shift towards a policy of overthrow indicates Washington's readiness for a serious and long-term conflict.

The report states that Pentagon officials are considering various strategies to achieve this goal, including directly targeting senior commanders and political elites involved in directing the Revolutionary Guard forces. Reuters, referencing last month's operation in Venezuela known as "Absolute Resolve," which led to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. special forces, writes that Trump may consider similar patterns to bring about change in Tehran. However, officials warn that, unlike Venezuela, change in the Islamic Republic will be much more complex without the deployment of extensive ground forces or creating conditions for an internal uprising.

The news agency adds, citing its sources, that recent successes by Israel in eliminating over 20 senior commanders of the Islamic Republic, including Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, during last year's 12-day battle, have been incorporated into new planning as a model for the effectiveness of targeted attacks against regime leaders. The aim of these attacks is to paralyze the command and control structure and create rifts within the power base to facilitate the government's collapse. Reuters emphasizes that despite the unprecedented concentration of firepower in the region, Trump continues to stress the need for a "proper agreement," but has set a deadline of 10 to 15 days, after which "very bad things" are likely to occur.

Meanwhile, U.S. security officials expect that any attempt at regime change will be met with a decisive military response from the Islamic Republic and its proxy forces; a situation that significantly increases the risk of American casualties and the outbreak of a large-scale regional war. The Islamic Republic's representation at the United Nations has also sent a letter warning that while it will not be the initiator of war, it will respond decisively and proportionately to any aggression. In conclusion, Reuters notes that by keeping his cards close to his chest, Trump is increasing military pressure to place Tehran officials between the options of "diplomatic surrender" or "facing the risk of overthrow."

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