Trump Says U.S. Must Be Involved in Choosing Iran’s Next Leader After Khamenei Killing

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Washington should have a role in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader, following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes last week.

The strikes, which targeted senior Iranian officials in Tehran, mark a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel.

In interviews with U.S. media, Trump argued for his involvement in the appointment of Khamenei’s successor, stating that Iran requires leadership capable of bringing “peace and harmony” to the country.

He explicitly rejected the potential succession of Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is widely seen as a leading contender for the position.

Trump reportedly described Mojtaba as “unacceptable” and a “lightweight,” warning that allowing him to assume power would simply preserve the existing regime.

The decision on the next supreme leader is expected to be made by Iran’s clerical establishment and the Assembly of Experts, though the process is now complicated by ongoing military strikes and heightened regional tensions.

Khamenei, who had ruled Iran since 1989, was killed in coordinated airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel as part of a broader military campaign targeting Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure.See Full, Details.

The situation has intensified fears of further escalation in the Middle East, as Iran vows retaliation and the international community watches closely for signs of how the country’s leadership transition will unfold.