Trump Insists on US Involvement in Iran's Next Supreme Leader Selection

Washington. US President Donald Trump has expressed the view that he should have personal involvement in the process of selecting Iran's next Supreme Leader. Trump made this comment regarding the selection of a new leader to fill the vacancy left after the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

In an interview with the online news portal Axios, Trump warned that Iran attempting to appoint a new successor without US consent would only be a waste of time.

Although Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ali Khamenei, is seen as a strong contender for the next Supreme Leader in Iran, Trump made it clear that he would not accept him under any circumstances. Calling Mojtaba a lightweight leader, Trump insisted that he must participate in the selection process.

Trump warned that if a new leader emerges who intends to continue the policies of the previous leadership, the US will outright reject them, and in such a scenario, the risk of war with America could arise within the next five years.

Trump claimed to favor a leadership that can bring goodwill and peace to Iran. Reiterating that Mojtaba Khamenei is unacceptable to him, he sent a message that American interest in Iran's future cannot be ignored.