President Donald Trump said the United States must be involved in selecting Iran’s next leader following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to an interview with Axios.
Trump said he will not accept a successor who continues the late leader’s policies, warning that such an outcome could trigger another conflict within five years.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Trump says he must be involved in picking Iran's next leader.
— Axios (@axios) March 5, 2026
He said that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei, is the most likely successor — and finds that unacceptable.https://t.co/73b4PVOLW2
Trump singled out Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the slain supreme leader and a leading candidate for the role. The president described him as a “lightweight” and said his appointment would be unacceptable. Trump said the U.S. wants a leader who would bring peace and stability to Iran.
The comments come as Iran delays announcing a new supreme leader after Ali Khamenei was killed in joint U.S. and Israeli strikes in late February. The leadership crisis has unfolded alongside a broader regional conflict and continuing U.S. military operations against Iranian targets.
Trump compared the situation to Venezuela, where he previously supported a leadership transition following the removal of Nicolás Maduro.
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