Donald Trump acknowledged that Khamenei’s son was the likely successor, but called this outcome unacceptable and demanded to be personally involved in the selection.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he needs to be personally involved in selecting Iran’s next leader – just like he was in Venezuela – after joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28 killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump acknowledged that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Khamenei, is the most likely successor, but made it clear that he finds the outcome unacceptable. “They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela,” he said.
Trump also emphasised that he refuses to accept a new Iranian leader who would continue Khamenei’s policies, which he said would force the US back to war “in five years.”
“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” he told Axios. His remarks came after Israel attacked the Iranian building in Qom housing the clerical body responsible for selecting Iran’s next supreme leader on Tuesday.
Khamenei was assassinated on February 28 in joint US-Israeli air strikes on Tehran. Following his death, Iran’s Assembly of Experts has elected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new supreme leader, according to several reports.
Mojtaba Khamenei is the second son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A mid-ranking cleric and behind-the-scenes power broker, he managed his father’s office, maintained close IRGC ties from the Iran-Iraq War era, and influenced security and military coordination without holding formal public roles.
Khamenei’s body was due to lie in state in a Tehran prayer hall from Wednesday evening to launch three days of mourning. However, the memorial – expected to draw many thousands of mourners to the streets – was abruptly and indefinitely postponed shortly before it was due to begin.
Announcing the younger Khamenei as successor during a mourning period would allow him to take power while his father’s followers were on the streets, rallying support and making it more difficult for any opponents to mount a challenge. Israel has said it would consider any replacement for Khamenei, who continued hostile policies, an immediate target to be killed.
