While speaking at a Republican fundraiser, Trump expanded on his claims, stating that Iran’s leadership had informally suggested he take on the role of the country’s next Supreme Leader, an idea he said he rejected. At the annual NRCC dinner, he remarked that he had no interest in such a position and dismissed the suggestion outright.
His comments come at a time when Iran is facing a leadership vacuum following strikes that reportedly killed several senior figures. After the assassination of Ali Khamenei, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was elevated to the position of Supreme Leader. However, he has not made any public appearances since the conflict began, with reports indicating he may have been injured.
Trump described the US operation against Iran as a decisive military success and again claimed victory in the conflict. He asserted that indirect discussions with Tehran were ongoing and that Iranian authorities were keen on reaching a ceasefire but hesitant to admit it publicly due to internal pressures and fear of consequences.
Amid continued instability in the Middle East affecting global energy markets, Washington is reported to have sent a 15-point ceasefire proposal to Tehran through intermediaries, including Pakistan. The proposal reportedly includes dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme, ending support for proxy groups such as Hezbollah, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran has publicly rejected both the proposal and claims of ongoing talks. Iran’s joint military command spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, dismissed Trump’s statements on state television, questioning their credibility and reiterating that Iran would not engage in any agreement with the United States.
According to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, Tehran has instead put forward its own five-point counterproposal, making it clear that any resolution to the conflict would be determined on its own terms.
