“I Have to Be Involved in the Appointment of Iran’s Next Supreme Leader” — Trump Says as He Rejects Khamenei’s Son

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the United States must play a role in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader, dismissing Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as an unacceptable successor.

In an interview with Axios, Trump described Mojtaba as a “lightweight” and said Washington should be involved in the appointment process. He drew a comparison to U.S. influence in Venezuela, where Delcy Rodríguez assumed power following the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro.

Trump emphasized that any successor who continues Khamenei’s policies would not be acceptable to the United States. “We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” he said, warning that failing to influence the succession could draw the U.S. into conflict within a few years.

The comments follow a U.S.-Israeli airstrike that killed Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian officials, creating a power vacuum in Tehran. While the Iranian leadership has yet to formally announce a successor, the decision typically falls to the Assembly of Experts, a council of senior clerics.

Iran’s supreme leader holds ultimate authority over the country’s military, judiciary, and major state policies, making the succession a matter of significant regional and global concern. Trump’s public insistence on involvement marks a notable departure from established diplomatic norms.

Mojtaba Khamenei survived the recent strikes, but Trump’s remarks signal a firm U.S. stance against dynastic succession and highlight Washington’s focus on shaping Iran’s political future.