Trump Aims to Influence Iran's Next Leader, Rejects Mojtaba

In an interview with Axios on Thursday, President Donald Trump stated his belief that the United States should play a role in determining Iran's next leader after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Trump specifically rejected the idea of Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader's 56-year-old son, as a successor, calling him a "lightweight." Trump emphasized that the U.S. would not accept an Iranian leader who intends to continue the policies of the late Khamenei, describing Mojtaba as unacceptable.

He drew parallels to the political situation in Venezuela earlier this year when Delcy Rodríguez became acting president, and U.S. forces captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to face drug-related charges in New York. Trump warned that the U.S. would not tolerate a continuation of harmful policies in Iran.

The tensions in the Middle East have escalated following a large-scale military campaign launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iranian targets, raising uncertainties about Iran's future leadership.