Trump says he must be personally involved in selecting Iran’s next leader, calls likely successor unacceptable

President Donald Trump told Axios in an exclusive Thursday interview that he must be personally involved in selecting Iran’s next leader, just as he was in Venezuela. The comments came during an eight-minute phone call, his second with the outlet to explain his war planning.

Trump confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of the assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei, is the most likely successor but said he finds this outcome unacceptable.

He told Reuters that it is very early in the process of selecting Iran’s next leader and described Mojtaba Khamenei as unlikely to take the role.


The president also expressed support for the Kurds launching an offensive into Iran, saying: “I think it’s wonderful if they want to do that.” He added that the Strait of Hormuz will be kept open, signalling a commitment to maintaining regional maritime security.

On the economic front, Trump said gasoline prices have not risen much at this point despite the ongoing conflict. He also noted that the Iran operation is moving ahead of schedule but declined to provide a specific timeline.

Trump highlighted the U.S. military’s preparedness, stating that the country has tremendous amounts of ammunition and that the defense industry is ramping up production, adding that there is no need to invoke the Defense Production Act.

He added that he refuses to accept a new Iranian leader who would continue Khamenei’s policies, warning that such a scenario could force the U.S. back to war “in five years.”

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“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela,” Trump said. “We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

For several days, the Iranian regime has postponed announcing the new supreme leader, but statements by Iranian politicians on Thursday suggested an announcement could be imminent.

Trump’s remarks represent an extraordinary claim of American influence over Iran’s political future, coming amid the massive U.S. military campaign launched on Saturday. While U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have denied that the operation aims for regime change, Trump’s statements further complicate understanding of the campaign’s objectives.

The war in the Middle East entered its sixth day as Iran launched additional missiles at Israel and U.S. bases. Israel reported multiple incoming attacks early Thursday and said its defence systems were intercepting the missiles.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it had launched new strikes against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agencies, at least eight people were killed late Wednesday into Thursday during the attacks.

Also Read: Trump wants a quick victory in Iran. But the war may be costly.

Tehran has warned of the destruction of the region’s military and economic infrastructure. The conflict has also shaken global financial markets, with investors closely watching oil prices, which resumed their ascent early Thursday.

Officials in the affected countries said the war has so far killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 70 in Lebanon, and around a dozen in Israel, including six U.S. troops.