Marco Rubio Warns: No Simple Answer to Iran's Post-Khamenei Future

Amid renewed warnings from US President Donald Trump over Iran’s nuclear programme, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said there is no clear answer to who would assume leadership in Tehran if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were removed from power. Addressing a Senate committee, Rubio stressed that forcing regime change in Iran would be far more complex than previous US-backed efforts elsewhere.

Drawing a contrast with Venezuela, Rubio cautioned against oversimplified expectations. “This is not a frozen dinner, where you put it in a microwave and in two and a half minutes it comes out ready to eat,” he said. “These are complex things.” Rubio added that “no one knows” who would take over if Iran’s current leadership structure were to collapse.

“I don’t think anyone can give you a simple answer to what happens next in Iran if the Supreme Leader and the regime were to fall,” he told lawmakers, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding any potential transition in the Islamic Republic. Rubio’s remarks came as President Trump escalated pressure on Tehran, issuing renewed warnings over its nuclear activities and threatening military action if negotiations fail. Iran has responded by warning that its forces would retaliate immediately and forcefully against any US military operation.

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Addressing Tehran’s threats, Rubio said the United States retained the ability to act preemptively to protect American forces, regional facilities, and allies if necessary, though he added that Washington hoped such action would not be required.

Tensions have intensified after Trump said a large US naval force—described as a “massive armada” led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln—was moving toward the region. The president urged Iran to return to the negotiating table and agree to a deal that would permanently block nuclear weapons development, warning that “time is running out.” Trump’s hardened language marks a shift from earlier US rhetoric that focused largely on human rights concerns in Iran. While Tehran has faced international criticism over its crackdown on domestic protests, the nuclear issue has increasingly become the central focus of Washington’s strategic approach.

Iranian leaders have rejected negotiations under military pressure. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said talks could not take place “in an atmosphere of threats” and warned of strong retaliation in the event of an attack, with some officials describing any strike as the start of a broader regional conflict. The standoff follows US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, carried out in coordination with Israel — an operation Washington said significantly delayed Iran’s nuclear capabilities. As of now, neither side has shown signs of backing down, leaving diplomatic prospects uncertain.

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