By Savannah Hulsey Pointer
Contributing Writer
U.S. President Donald Trump says he needs to be involved in selecting the next leader of Iran.
Trump’s comments came in an exclusive interview with Axios, where he said he would like involvement similar to what he would have in Venezuela.
The president weighed in on the possible succession of power to the recently assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, saying he is not in agreement.
“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,” Trump said.
“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone who will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”
Khamenei has been seen as the frontrunner to take over Iran’s leadership, following the death of his father.
The younger Khamenei has close ties to the elite Revolutionary Guards and influence with local clerics.
Trump said he would not accept any new Iranian leader who plans to continue Khamenei’s policies.
That, according to the president, would push the United States back into war within the next five years.
“We don’t have to go back every five years and do this again and again … Somebody that’s going to be great for the people, great for the country.”
Just two days ago, Trump responded to questions about possible new leadership in Iran, saying that “most of the people we had in mind are dead.”
Trump answered questions from journalists ahead of a Tuesday bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office.
The president went on to say that those who could take over are dwindling.
“Now we have another group, [and] they may be dead also, based on reports,” he said. “So I guess you have a third wave coming in. Pretty soon, we’re not going to know anybody.”
Reports indicate that Iranian Americans largely support the recent Middle East military operations, which have led to the death of most of the previous country’s power structure.
Groups have gathered in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, chanting and dancing, waving flags and photos of Trump.
However, the European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned on Thursday that the Middle Eastern conflict could destabilize Iran internally, prompting civil unrest.
“When we talk to the countries in the region, they are also worried about civil wars inside Iran because of the regime’s leadership and what is going on there,” she said.
Kallas noted that Iran is attempting to engage in conflict with more countries, and the EU is calling for coordination and stability in the region.
According to Turkey’s Interior Minister, Mustafa Ciftci, the nation has created contingency plans in case of a large influx of migrants from neighboring Iran.
Turkey would be able to host up to 90,000 people, should the need arise.
Ciftci said just over 5,000 people have entered Turkey between Sunday and Tuesday, while almost 5,500 have exited.
Evgenia Filimianova and Travis Gillmore contributed to this report.
