Trump Says He Must Be Involved In Choosing Iran’s Next Leader
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he believes he must be personally involved in determining who
becomes the next leader of Iran following the death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
In an interview published on March 5, 2026, Trump told Axios that the United States should play a direct
role in selecting Iran’s next leader.
The comments come amid escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, and a
leadership vacuum in Tehran after Khamenei’s death.
Khamenei was killed on February 28, 2026, during airstrikes around Tehran targeting senior Iranian
officials as part of a broader military confrontation involving the United States and Israel.
His death triggered a succession process within Iran’s political and clerical establishment to determine
the next Supreme Leader.
During the interview, Trump rejected the possibility that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, could
succeed his father.
He described the potential successor as “unacceptable” and said Washington should ensure that the
new leadership would promote stability.
Trump said the United States should be involved in the appointment process, arguing that the outcome
could determine whether the region returns to conflict in the future. He said the goal should be to see a
leader who would “bring harmony and peace to Iran.”
The U.S. president also drew a comparison with developments in Venezuela, where he said Washington
had influenced political changes earlier in the year. According to Trump, similar involvement in Iran’s
leadership transition could prevent repeated conflicts with Tehran.
Trump’s remarks come as hostilities continue in the region. Iran has launched missiles at Israeli and U.S.
targets, while Israeli forces have carried out additional strikes against Iran-linked groups in neighboring
areas. Iran has not yet formally announced a successor to Khamenei, and the decision is expected to be made by the country’s clerical leadership body responsible for selecting the Supreme Leader.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
