Trump says Iran’s leadership is 'neutered,' calls for a new leader who will 'treat the US and Israel well'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said he believes Iran needs new leadership that will maintain stable relations with the United States and Israel, following the death of Ali Khamenei and escalating tensions in the region.
Speaking in a brief phone interview on Friday, March 6, Trump said Iran’s leadership's military developments had severely weakened Iran's leadership and signaled the start of a possible political transition.
He also indicated that the United States could be involved in shaping the country's next leadership as succession talks continue.
Trump says Iran leadership weakened, outlines expectations for successor
Speaking with CNN, Trump said Iran’s leadership structure had been severely weakened over the past week and suggested the country would need new leadership that could maintain stability and relations with regional partners. “Iran is not the same country it was a week ago,” Trump said.
“A week ago they were powerful, and now they’ve been indeed neutered.”
Trump said he was open to various leadership options, including the possibility of a religious leader guiding the country, depending on the person and their approach to governance. “Well I may be yeah, I mean, it depends on who the person is. I don’t mind religious leaders. I deal with a lot of religious leaders and they are fantastic,” he said.
When asked whether he believed Iran should transition toward a democratic system, Trump said his priority was not the form of government but the approach of the leader toward international relations.
“No, I’m saying there has to be a leader that’s going be fair and just. Do a great job. Treat the United States and Israel well, and treat the other countries in the Middle East, they’re all our partners,” he said.
Trump says he wants role in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader
Trump also said he wants the United States to play a role in determining who becomes Iran’s next supreme leader following Khamenei’s death.
Trump said he believed Washington should influence the leadership transition as Iran’s governing institutions deliberate on a successor.
The comments came after reports suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late supreme leader, was among the leading candidates to assume the position.
“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me,” Trump told Axios, while acknowledging that Mojtaba Khamenei was widely viewed as a likely successor. “I have to be involved in the appointment,” Trump said, adding, “They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight.”
Trump said his preference would be for a leader capable of stabilizing the country and preventing future conflict in the region.
“We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” he said. “I’m going to have a big impact, or they’re not going to have any settlement, because we’re not going to have to go do this again,” Trump said.
