U.S. President Donald Trump has strongly insisted that he must be involved in determining who becomes the next leader of Iran following the death of the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In an interview with Axios on Thursday, Trump said that many people believe the late leader’s 56-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei, will succeed him, but he stressed he does not agree.
“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight,” Trump said. “I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela.”
Trump made reference to Delcy Rodríguez, who became acting president of Venezuela earlier this year after U.S. forces captured former leader Nicolás Maduro and transferred him to New York to face drug-related charges.
The president of the United States declared that he would oppose any Iranian leader who plans to carry on the late Khamenei’s ideas.
“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump said.
Trump also hinted earlier this week that many of the people who were previously seen to be possible successors had perished in recent strikes connected to the current fight.
The comments coincide with rising tensions in the Middle East following a massive military operation by Israel and the United States that attacked multiple Iranian locations, sparking counterattacks around the region and raising doubts about Iran’s future leadership.
Although Iran has appointed an acting supreme kneader, it is yet to officially announce a new Supreme Leader.
