Trump told aides he could support eliminating Iran’s new leader Mojtaba Khamenei: WSJ
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has reportedly told aides he could support the killing of Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader if the country refuses to comply with US demands aimed at ending its nuclear weapons program, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
The report surfaced on Monday, March 9, shortly after Iran formally installed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, a move that has drawn scrutiny in Washington as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate.
🚨 Trump Threat to Iran’s New Leader
— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) March 9, 2026
According to The Wall Street Journal, Donald Trump told aides he would support eliminating Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei if Tehran refuses to abandon its nuclear program.
The message to the new leader:
End the nuclear program.… pic.twitter.com/A85ptKa93s
Trump willing to eliminate Mojtaba : WSJ
According to the Journal’s report, Trump has privately told advisers that he would support eliminating Mojtaba Khamenei if the new leader proves unwilling to meet US demands, particularly the requirement that Iran halt its nuclear development.
The report, citing current and former US officials, said that President Trump has told aides he would back the killing of new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei if he proves unwilling to cede to US demands, such as ending Iran’s nuclear development.
The Wall Street Journal report added that if a decision were made to target Mojtaba Khamenei, Israel would likely be responsible for carrying out the strike.
Such a move would mark a dramatic escalation in the already volatile conflict and could further deepen the military coordination between Israel and the United States in confronting Iran’s leadership.
BREAKING: President Trump spoke to the New York Post on Monday regarding possible U.S. ground troops in Iran: “We haven’t made any decision on that. We’re nowhere near it.”
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) March 9, 2026
“Not going to tell you,” Trump said about his plans for Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. “Not… pic.twitter.com/SKUZQWhHJw
The White House declined to comment on the report.
However, Trump reiterated his dissatisfaction with the leadership change in comments published Monday, again telling the media that he was unhappy with the outcome.
Trump had already voiced strong opposition to Mojtaba’s potential leadership in earlier remarks, arguing that replacing one Khamenei with another would defeat the purpose of the conflict.
“I’m not going through this to end up with another Khamenei,” Trump said in an interview with Time magazine last week.
He also wrote on social media that he wanted a role in ensuring Iran ultimately had what he described as a “great and acceptable” leader following what he characterized as the country’s “unconditional surrender.”
"There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!... IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!).'” - President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/H2HKkBVkww
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 6, 2026
Mojtaba Khamenei takes power
Mojtaba was selected by Iran’s powerful Assembly of Experts on Sunday, March 8, to replace his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed last weekend during joint military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel.
His appointment has been widely viewed as a continuation of the same leadership structure that Washington has long opposed.
US officials have repeatedly criticized the Khamenei-led regime, particularly over Iran’s nuclear program and its broader regional influence.
