In a recent interview, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his belief that the United States should play a significant role in selecting Iran’s next leader. He emphasized the need for a complete removal of Iran’s current leadership and mentioned he has several candidates in mind for a “good leader.”
Trump’s comments came as tensions in the region escalated following a series of military strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iranian targets. He indicated that he does not believe the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, is a viable successor to his father, who was killed during the recent conflict.
“We need to choose this person together with Iran. We have to choose this person,” Trump stated.
In addition to discussing leadership, Trump encouraged Kurdish forces in Iran to take action, just days after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. The ongoing conflict has reportedly resulted in over 1,000 deaths, including at least six American servicemen, and has contributed to instability throughout the Middle East.
“I think it’s great that they want to do this; I’m fully behind it,” Trump said regarding the Kurdish forces.
Drawing parallels to Venezuela, Trump noted that American forces successfully removed dictator Nicolás Maduro in January, leaving his deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, in charge. He stated, “We want to be involved in the process of choosing someone who will lead Iran into the future, so we don’t have to keep coming back every five years to do it again. We want someone who will be great for the people, great for the country.”
While he did not specify who his preferred candidates are, Trump acknowledged that the chances of Mojtaba Khamenei succeeding his father are slim. When asked about the potential candidacy of exiled Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi, Trump responded, “I think everyone has a chance. It’s still very early to talk about this.”
Regarding the possibility of U.S. air support for Iranian Kurdish forces contemplating an offensive in western Iran, Trump remained non-committal but expressed confidence in their potential for victory.
“If they are going to do this, that’s good,” he remarked.
Sources familiar with the situation indicated that Iranian Kurdish militias have been consulting with U.S. officials about strategies for targeting Iranian forces. These groups, based near the Iran-Iraq border in the semi-autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, are reportedly preparing for an assault aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities amid ongoing bombardments by U.S. and Israeli forces.
Trump also expressed confidence that the strategic Strait of Hormuz would remain open, despite recent tensions.
“They don’t have a navy; you know it’s at the bottom of the sea right now. I’m keeping a very close eye on the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
As the conflict intensified, more tankers were attacked in the Persian Gulf, and Iranian drones entered Azerbaijan, raising concerns for other oil producers. Despite rising oil prices, Trump stated he is not worried about the impact on gasoline costs.
“They will drop very quickly once this is over. If they go up, they go up. But that’s much less important than what’s happening here,” he noted.
While Trump refrained from predicting the duration of the conflict, he remarked that it is developing rapidly and more intensely than anticipated.
“I would say it’s developing faster than expected, and much stronger than anyone could have anticipated,” he added.
In his interview with NBC News, Trump reiterated his desire for a complete overhaul of Iran’s leadership, stating he has several candidates in mind who he believes could effectively lead the country.
“We want to intervene and clear everything out. We don’t want someone who will take 10 years to rebuild the country. We want them to have a good leader. We have a few people who I think would do a great job,” he said.
Trump confirmed that he is taking steps to ensure the safety of individuals on his list but did not disclose their names.
“We are keeping an eye on them, yes,” he stated.
As a reminder, U.S. military reports indicate that over 1,700 targets in Iran have been struck since operations began on February 28. On March 3, Trump claimed that Iran is interested in negotiations, but he asserted that it is already “too late” for that.
On Monday, Trump did not rule out the possibility of deploying U.S. troops directly into Iran.
President Trump has called for U.S. involvement in selecting Iran's next leader, emphasizing the need for a complete change in Iran's leadership. His remarks come amid escalating military conflict in the region, which has resulted in significant casualties and instability.
Source: Reuters