U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred fresh global controversy after declaring that he must be “personally involved” in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader, openly rejecting the possible succession of Mojtaba Khamenei.
Speaking in an interview with Axios, Trump said Mojtaba — widely viewed as a potential successor to his father, Ali Khamenei — would be unacceptable to him.
“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump said.
The U.S. leader went further, insisting that Washington must have direct influence over the leadership transition in Tehran.
“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 warned that allowing a successor who continues Khamenei’s policies could push the United States back into conflict with Iran within a few years.
His remarks come as Iran delays announcing a new supreme leader, fueling intense political maneuvering among the country’s clerical and political elite.
The extraordinary statement has drawn widespread attention globally, with analysts noting that the choice of Iran’s supreme leader is traditionally determined internally by the country’s powerful Assembly of Experts, making Trump’s claim of involvement highly controversial on the international stage.
