Trump: Must personally participate in Iran's succession arrangements, does not accept Khamenei's son as the next Supreme Leader

According to AXIOS, President Trump stated in an interview on Thursday that he needs to be personally involved in selecting Iran's next leader, just as he did in Venezuela.

Trump acknowledged that the assassinated Supreme Leader Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is the most likely successor, but he also made it clear that he finds this outcome unacceptable. For several days, the Iranian regime has delayed announcing the successor to the Supreme Leader. However, statements from Iranian political figures on Thursday hinted that an announcement may be imminent.

Trump said, "They are wasting time. Khamenei's son is a nobody. I must be involved in the appointment process, just like I handled Delcy Rodriguez in Venezuela." He added that he would not accept any new Iranian leader who would continue Khamenei's policies, which would force the U.S. to "go to war again in five years."