Iran’s Assembly of Experts announced Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, a move that triggered strong international reactions. Soon after the announcement, US President Donald Trump criticised the development and questioned the legitimacy and durability of the new leadership.
Trump stated that no Supreme Leader in Iran would be able to remain in power without the approval of Washington. He warned that the newly appointed leader would not “last long” if he failed to secure alignment with US interests, suggesting that American influence would play a decisive role in Iran’s political stability.
He had earlier voiced opposition to Mojtaba Khamenei’s possible elevation even before the formal appointment. Trump described Mojtaba as a “lightweight” and expressed dissatisfaction with the prospect of him leading Iran. He suggested that selecting a leader aligned with the policies of the former Supreme Leader could escalate tensions and potentially push the United States toward another conflict with Iran within the next few years.
Trump also indicated that he believed the United States should have a role in Iran’s leadership transition, comparing it to American involvement in political developments in other countries. However, after the appointment was finalised, he did not outline any specific policy response and limited his remarks to saying that the situation would be observed.
The comments came amid heightened geopolitical tensions in West Asia and added to the diplomatic strain between Washington and Tehran following the leadership transition.
