Iran defies Trump and appoints Mojtaba Khamenei as new leader: ‘We’ll allow nobody to interfere’
NBC News' Kristen Welker: "Will Iran allow President Trump to have any role in picking its new leader?"
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) March 8, 2026
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi: "We allow nobody to interfere in our domestic affairs." pic.twitter.com/0zyevoA0gA
WASHINGTON, DC: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday, March 8, firmly dismissed any foreign involvement in the selection of the nation's next Supreme Leader, saying, “We’ll allow nobody to interfere.”
Following this response to President Trump, Iran officially named Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new head of state.
Iran rejects US interference in leadership choice
During an interview on NBC’s Meet The Press, Araghchi clarified that a temporary council is currently running the country. “The Interim Council is now in charge,” he said, noting that “a new Supreme Leader is going to be elected soon by the Assembly of Experts.”
When asked if President Trump would have a role in the selection, Araghchi was clear: “We allow nobody to interfere in our domestic affairs. It is only the business of the Iranian people and nobody else’s business.”
BREAKING: Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi — We never surrender and we never give up.
— Inside the conflict (@Muhamma22474285) March 8, 2026
When #Israel started to attack us in June last year, #Trump used the phrase “unconditional surrender” in a tweet — that did not happen.
We resisted. After 12 days the Israelis asked for an… pic.twitter.com/7wrPyQm4Va
Iran refuses calls for unconditional surrender
The conversation also touched on President Trump’s demand for an “unconditional surrender.” Araghchi recalled that a similar demand was made in June 2025 during conflicts with Israel but noted that Iran resisted. “After 12 days, Israelis asked for an ‘unconditional ceasefire.’ So, we never give up, we never surrender, and we continue to resist as long as it takes,” he said.
He emphasized that the country’s priority is protecting its land and pride. “Nobody knows, actually. There are lots of rumors around, but we have to wait for that,” Araghchi said regarding the succession process. He concluded, “And our dignity is not for sale.”
Mojtaba Khamenei Confirmed as Supreme Leader
Following these remarks, Iran officially announced Mojtaba Khamenei as the third Supreme Leader of the country. The Assembly of Experts, a group of 88 religious leaders, confirmed the appointment by a large majority vote.
In a late-night statement (Tehran Time), the assembly said: “By a decisive vote, the Assembly of Experts appointed Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The announcement came immediately after Iran publicly rejected foreign demands for involvement in its leadership choice, signaling a firm stance against external pressure.
