A senior Israeli official confirmed Wednesday that President Trump remains undecided between three options on Iran: a diplomatic deal, maintaining the current siege, or expanding military strikes. The official also confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader, is alive, and that no requests for Israeli withdrawal from Syria were raised during the White House meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
A senior Israeli official briefed political correspondents in Washington on Wednesday evening, confirming that President Trump remains undecided among three strategic paths on Iran — a diplomatic deal, maintaining the current siege, or expanding military strikes. The official also confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader, is alive, and notably stated that no requests for Israeli withdrawal from Syria were raised during the White House meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. This detail emerged as part of a rolling briefing that unfolded throughout the afternoon.
The thread began at 17:59 Jerusalem, when the same official first signaled that the decision on striking Iran rests with Trump (The Zioneer, Wed 17:59). Within the same hour, the official expanded the range of options, outlining three paths (Wed 17:59), and then expressed doubt about whether Mojtaba Khamenei is actually making decisions (Wed 17:59). The latest confirmation of Khamenei's life is consistent with the earlier reports, but the new detail about Syria withdrawal not being raised adds a dimension not previously reported.
As The Zioneer reported previously, the U.S. has maintained a sustained air campaign against Iranian strategic infrastructure since the collapse of the Islamabad Agreement in early July. The meeting between Netanyahu and Trump was characterized as a high-stakes summit, with the military option gaining traction. Earlier reports noted that Trump told Axios he was watching Khamenei's funeral and that the U.S. could "eliminate everyone" but preferred a diplomatic path.
Despite the official's confirmation that Mojtaba Khamenei is alive, questions persist about his health and whether he is actually making decisions for the regime, as the same official expressed doubt. The Trump administration's final decision on Iran — agreement, siege, or renewed strikes — remains undecided, with the official stating that all options are still on the table.
6 developments
- StrongIsraeli security sources: Iran leadership debating strike after Khamenei disappearance, Larijani killing
- DevelopingYoni Ben Menachem: Mojtaba Khamenei alive and in Iran, cabinet ministers informed
- StrongIsraeli security source: Iran plotted to assassinate Israeli figures in Tel Aviv; Khamenei not in Iran
- StrongIran's supreme leader likely to skip father's funeral, citing security fears
Source and signal
- Open-source intake