In an exclusive interview, President Donald Trump said he believes he must be involved in choosing Iran’s next leader, dismissing the possible succession of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as “unacceptable.”
Speaking to Axios, Trump said the United States should influence who takes power in Tehran following the death of the Iranian leader during the current conflict.
“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me… I have to be involved in the appointment,” Trump said.
He also described Mojtaba Khamenei as “a lightweight” and argued that allowing someone who continues the previous regime’s policies could push the U.S. and Iran back into war within a few years.
Ali Khamenei’s death has left Iran’s leadership structure uncertain, with a temporary leadership council currently overseeing the government until a new supreme leader is chosen.
Mojtaba Khamenei — a powerful cleric closely tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard — has emerged as a leading potential successor, though his possible elevation has generated internal debate because it could resemble a hereditary transfer of power.
Trump compared the Iranian succession fight to his administration’s involvement in Venezuela’s political transition, suggesting Washington should similarly shape the outcome in Iran.
He argued that helping influence the next Iranian leader could produce someone who would “bring harmony and peace to Iran.”
Trump’s remarks are unusual because the U.S. has historically not openly claimed the authority to select another country’s leadership. Critics say such statements could escalate tensions with Iran and strengthen opposition in Tehran.
The comments also come amid a growing conflict involving U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and retaliatory attacks across the region, which have already caused significant casualties and regional disruption.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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What Trump implied is simply that he is going to make sure that no Muslim radical is going to take Iran back to where it was before we did what we are now being forced to do.
Neither the Iranian people, nor the American people, need to have a regime such as the kind that we’ve just removed from that country.
Security for the people of BOTH countries must be instituted.
Neither Iran, nor the U.S., should have to be concerned by a military force controlling that country … a military force which could very well cause another war event.
They don’t want it … we don’t want it.
Freedom for all!