Trump wants a say in who leads Iran after Khamenei's death: 'I have to be involved'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, March 5, said he wanted to be personally involved in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump made the remarks in response to reports suggesting that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, could succeed his father.
The comments came as Iran’s leadership body began deliberations over the next head of the country’s religious and political establishment.
The conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel has intensified scrutiny over how Iran’s future leadership may shape the country’s direction.
Trump says US must be ‘involved in the appointment’
Speaking in interviews with multiple outlets, Trump said he believed the United States should influence who ultimately succeeded Khamenei.
Responding to reports that Mojtaba Khamenei might be the leading candidate, Trump told Axios, “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me,” while acknowledging that the 56-year-old cleric was widely viewed as the most likely successor.
“I have to be involved in the appointment,” Trump said, adding, “They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight.”
He said that his preference would be for a leader who could stabilize the country and avoid further conflict. “We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump said.
Trump suggested that Washington would seek to influence the outcome of the leadership transition as military operations continued.
“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,” he said in remarks to Politico.
“We’ll work with the people and the regime to make sure that somebody gets there that can nicely build Iran but without nuclear weapons,” he added.
The president also expressed confidence in the broader military campaign, claiming the country’s military capabilities had been significantly weakened.
“They have no navy. They have no air force. They have no detection of air. It’s all wiped out. Their radar is all wiped out. Their military is decimated,” Trump said. “All they have is guts.”
Mojtaba Khamenei seen as leading candidate to succeed
Among the figures reportedly being considered to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei has emerged as one of the most discussed candidates.
The 56-year-old cleric is the second son of the late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and has long been rumored to play an influential role behind the scenes in Iran’s political establishment.
The final decision will be made by the 88-member Assembly of Experts, which is responsible for appointing the country’s supreme leader.
Reports indicate that Mojtaba Khamenei has maintained close relationships with influential political and military figures and has played a role in shaping conservative political networks within the country over the past two decades.
No official successor has yet been announced, and the leadership transition is expected to remain under close international scrutiny as the conflict in the region continues.
