Trump demands to choose Iran’s next supreme leader after killing Khamenei
Five days ago, the United States military conducted a strike in Iran, which killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and ended his 36-year rule.
The strikes in Iran have prompted a war in the Middle East, as Iran fires off rockets and mortars into neighbouring Gulf Countries in retaliation.
Today, Trump revealed that the likely successor to Khamenei is his son, Mojtaba – but that if he were appointed, it would be unacceptable.
Speaking to Axios, the President said, ‘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.
‘Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone who will bring harmony and peace to Iran.’
Trump also said he would refuse to support a new Iranian leader who continues Khamenei’s policies, which have sparked international outrage for decades over Iran’s treatment of women, girls, and those who speak against the government.
Trump’s remarks came after Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth told reporters: ‘This is not a so-called ‘regime change war’, but the regime sure did change.
He added: ‘No stupid rules of engagement, no nation-building quagmire, no democracy-building exercise, no politically-correct wars. We fight to win.’
The main speaker for Iran appears to be Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amol, who said the country was ‘on the verge of a great test’ and called on state television for ‘the shedding of Zionist blood, the shedding of Trump’s blood’ earlier today.
‘Fight the oppressive America, his blood is on my shoulders,’ he said in a rare call for violence from an ayatollah, one of the highest ranks within the clergy of Shiite Islam.
The US and Israel launched the war on Saturday, targeting Iran’s leadership, missile arsenal and nuclear programme while suggesting that toppling the government is a goal.
If Trump is involved in choosing the next leader of Iran, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s done so.
In January, after capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, he supported the nomination of Delcy Rodriguez to take his place, rather than opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
Rodriguez appeared to get her position by vowing to work with the Trump administration.
Shortly after being sworn in, Donald Trump appeared to threaten her, saying she could ‘pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro’ if she didn’t bend to the administration’s wishes.
After being sworn in, Rodriguez said Venezuela is seeking ‘respectful relations’ with the US.
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