US President Donald Trump has stated that he believes he should have a say in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In an interview with Axios on Thursday, Trump criticised Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, describing him as “unacceptable” and suggesting that the United States should be involved in choosing a more agreeable candidate.

“Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy,” Trump told the news outlet, drawing a comparison to Venezuela. In that context, he referred to interim Venezuelan president Delcy Rodriguez, who he claims has cooperated with the United States under pressure after the removal of Nicolas Maduro.

Trump warned that without a friendly leader in Iran, the United States could face renewed conflict within five years. “We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” he said, according to Axios.

Trump did not clarify how he could influence Iran’s internal succession process. Traditionally, the appointment of the supreme leader is determined by an assembly of senior Shiite clerics, many of whom maintain strong opposition to US influence.

Trump’s comments suggest a willingness to work with a faction within Iran rather than pursuing a strategy aimed at toppling the government outright. The country has been a longstanding adversary of the United States since the 1979 revolution, which overthrew the pro-Western Shah.

Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah, has called for a transitional role for himself, advocating for a move towards a secular democracy and a new constitution. Earlier on Thursday, he described any new supreme leader selected under the current system as illegitimate.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, was killed in an Israeli strike on Saturday, an attack that has escalated hostilities between Israel and the United States and Iran. Mojtaba Khamenei is widely considered a potential successor to his father.

Trump also referenced his actions in Venezuela, where he authorised a high-profile operation against Maduro. He indicated that he had been satisfied with Rodriguez’s cooperation in Venezuela, highlighting her willingness to work with the United States on economic and resource-related matters.

Trump’s remarks mark a notable stance on foreign intervention, reflecting a preference for influencing leadership outcomes in countries long opposed to the United States, rather than solely relying on direct military or political confrontation.

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