US President Donald Trump insisted on Thursday that he should play a role in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In an interview with Axios, Trump dismissed the potential succession of the late leader’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, whom he labeled a “lightweight.”
Drawing a comparison to his recent influence in South America, Trump stated:“Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy.”
This reference points to the current situation in Venezuela, where interim president Delcy Rodriguez took office in January 2026 after a US military operation captured Nicolas Maduro.
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Trump suggested that without a leader favorable to US interests, a return to war within five years is likely.
Emphasizing his opposition to the younger Khamenei, the President was quoted as saying:“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”
While the US President—who was raised a Presbyterian—expressed a desire for a specific type of leadership, it remains unclear how he would influence a selection process traditionally governed by Iran’s Assembly of Experts.
His comments, however, suggest a preference for working with internal figures rather than a complete overthrow of the governmental structure.
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In contrast, Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah, argued Thursday that any leader chosen within the current system would be illegitimate, proposing instead a transition to a secular democracy.
Meanwhile, the region remains in turmoil following the Israeli strike on February 28 that killed Ali Khamenei, who had governed since 1989.
Trump’s recent actions in Venezuela serve as his blueprint; after US forces captured Maduro on January 3, 2026, Trump shifted away from the traditional opposition to support Rodriguez.
Despite her previous role as Maduro’s vice president, Trump has noted his satisfaction with her cooperation, particularly regarding US access to oil and natural resources, maintained under the persistent threat of further intervention.
