President Trump has vowed to help choose Iran’s Next Leader and rejected Mojtaba Khamenei as successor.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has said he believes he must play a role in determining who becomes Iran’s next leader following the death of the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In an interview with Axios on Thursday, Trump stated that Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s 56-year-old son, is widely viewed as the most likely successor. However, the U.S. president made clear that he opposes the idea.
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“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight,” Trump said, adding that he believes the United States should be involved in the appointment process.
Trump compared the situation to political developments in Venezuela earlier this year, when Delcy Rodríguez became acting president after U.S. forces captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and transferred him to New York to face drug-related charges.
The president also warned that he would not accept an Iranian leader who intends to continue the policies of the late Khamenei.
“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump said.
Earlier this week, Trump suggested that several individuals previously considered potential successors may have died during recent strikes tied to the ongoing conflict in the region.
The comments come as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate following a large-scale military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks and raising uncertainty about the country’s future leadership.
Iran has not yet officially announced a new Supreme Leader.
