U.S. President Donald Trump has said he must play a role in determining who becomes the next leader of Iran following the death of the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Speaking 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 likely successor but insisted he does not support the idea.
“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight,” Trump said. “I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela.”
Trump was referring to Delcy Rodríguez, who became acting president of Venezuela earlier this year after U.S. forces captured former leader Nicolás Maduro and transferred him to New York to face drug-related charges.
The U.S. president said he would reject any 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 also suggested that many of the individuals previously considered as potential successors had died during recent strikes linked to the ongoing conflict.
The remarks come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East after a large-scale military campaign launched by the United States and Israel targeted several sites in Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks across the region and increasing uncertainty over the country’s future leadership.
Iran has yet to officially announce a new Supreme Leader.
