Reuters: US Considering Regime Change In Iran

• 20.02.2026, 19:34

The decision is up to Trump.

Among the possible options for a U.S. military operation against Iran are considered both pinpoint strikes against individual members of the ayatollahs' regime and a complete change of leadership - in case President Donald Trump orders it.

This was reported by Reuters on February 20, citing two U.S. officials.

"During his first term, Trump has already demonstrated a willingness to target assassinations, approving in 2020 the elimination of a senior military official, Gen. Kasem Suleimani, who headed the foreign intelligence and paramilitary arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Quds Force," the outlet notes.

One of Reuters' sources emphasized the success of the Israeli operation to take out Iranian leaders during the military operation "People Like Lion" in 2025. Regional sources said at least 20 high-ranking Iranian officers were killed then, including the chief of staff of the country's armed forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri.

"The 12-day war and Israeli strikes on selected targets showed the effectiveness of this approach," the U.S. official said, adding that priority was given to individuals involved in the command and control of IRGC forces.

The official cautioned, however, that targeting regime figures requires significant intelligence resources.

"Eliminating a particular commander requires knowing his exact location and assessing who else might be affected in the operation. Reuters' sources were unaware of what intelligence U.S. authorities had on Iranian leaders, potential U.S. targets. The White House and Pentagon have not yet commented on the agency's requests," Reuters summarized.