Trump says he has ‘to be involved’ in choosing subsequent Iran chief and Khamenei’s son is ‘unacceptable’

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he must have a role in choosing Iran’s next leader.

In an interview with Axios, the president stated that Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei — who was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes — is the most likely to assume leadership. But he made clear that he is against this outcome.

“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.”

Rodriguez was sworn in as the acting president of Venezuela in January after the U.S. military swooped into Caracas, captured then-President Nicolas Maduro and transported him to New York to stand trial on drug charges. Following Rodriguez’ assumption of the presidency, Trump called Venezuela “our new friend and partner” and said the U.S. has been provided millions of barrels of oil by her government.

The Republican president told Axios that he will not accept a new leader in Iran who would carry out Khamenei’s agenda.

“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump said.

When asked by reporters earlier this week who could replace Khamenei, Trump told reporters: “Most of the people we had in mind are dead.”

On Saturday, the U.S. and Israel launched a massive military campaign against Iran, bombing sites across the nation, leading to the deaths of more than 1,000 people, according to a humanitarian group.

Iran retaliated by bombarding Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and other countries in the region. Six U.S. service members have been killed, the Pentagon said.

In recent days, the conflict has intensified, with reports of Iranian attacks in Azerbaijan and the U.S. sinking of an Iranian vessel in the Indian Ocean.

This is a breaking story…

Source: independent.co.uk