US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he believes he must be personally involved in the process of determining Iran's next supreme leader following the assassination of Ali Khamenei.
In an eight‑minute phone interview with Axios, Trump argued that the likely succession of Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader's son, would be unacceptable.
"They are wasting their time. Khamenei's son is a lightweight," Trump said. "I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela."
Iranian officials have delayed announcing a successor in recent days, though comments by several politicians on Thursday indicated that a decision may soon be revealed.
Trump warned that installing a leader who continues the policies of the previous regime would risk renewed conflict with the US. "Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran," he said.
According to Axios, Mojtaba Khamenei has emerged as the leading candidate to replace his father, although no official declaration has yet been made.
The President compared the situation to developments in Venezuela earlier this year. After US forces captured Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assumed power.
During his State of the Union address, Trump later described Venezuela as "our new friend and partner," noting that the US had received more than 80 million barrels of oil since the operation.
On Wednesday, Trump praised Rodriguez and said "the oil is beginning to flow" following a visit to Caracas by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and an announcement by Rodriguez regarding planned reforms to Venezuela's mining laws.