US President Donald Trump has said the United States should play a role in determining Iran’s next supreme leader after Ali Khamenei, arguing that any leadership transition in Tehran without Washington’s involvement would be unacceptable.
Speaking in an interview with a US news website, Trump stated that if Iran attempts to appoint a new supreme leader without consulting the United States, the effort would be “a waste of time.” His remarks come amid ongoing speculation about succession in Iran’s political and religious hierarchy.
Trump specifically rejected the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the recently assassinated supreme leader, assuming the role. Analysts and regional observers have frequently cited Mojtaba as a potential successor due to his influence within Iran’s clerical and security networks.
According to Trump, Mojtaba Khamenei represents a weak leadership option and would not be acceptable to Washington. He said the United States would prefer a figure capable of bringing stability and internal harmony to Iran, adding that he personally expected to be involved in the process of determining the country’s future leadership.
Trump also warned that the United States would not recognize any new Iranian leader who continues the policies of the current establishment. He suggested that if the same strategic approach persists in Tehran, tensions between the United States and Iran could re-emerge within the next five years.
The comments come at a time when regional tensions involving Iran, the United States, and several Middle Eastern actors remain high, and discussions about the future of Iran’s leadership structure have increasingly drawn international attention.
