United States President Donald Trump has warned that Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei may struggle to maintain peace, expressing strong dissatisfaction with Tehran’s leadership choice. Speaking in a recent interview with Fox News, Trump said he was “not happy” with Iran’s decision to elevate Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, to the country’s highest political and religious position. Trump’s remarks come amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran and increasing scrutiny of the leadership transition in Tehran.
During the interview, Trump said he does not believe the new Iranian leader will be able to “live in peace", suggesting that Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership could intensify geopolitical tensions. The U.S. president criticised Iran’s decision to appoint the 56-year-old cleric, indicating that Washington remains wary of any leadership that continues the policies associated with the previous regime. Trump’s comments highlight ongoing concerns within the United States about the direction of Iran’s political system and its potential implications for regional stability.
Trump has also argued that the United States should play a role in shaping Iran’s future leadership. In earlier remarks to Axios, he described Mojtaba Khamenei as “unacceptable” and suggested that Washington must ensure the next Iranian leadership supports peace rather than continuing the confrontational approach associated with his father’s rule. According to Trump, allowing a leader who follows similar policies could force the United States to face renewed conflict with Iran within a few years.
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The U.S. president further warned that the new leader would need international acceptance, particularly from Washington, to maintain long-term stability. In another interview, Trump said Mojtaba Khamenei would need “approval” from the United States to remain in power, adding that without such support he might not last long as Iran’s supreme leader. These remarks underline the increasingly confrontational rhetoric between the two nations during a period of heightened regional tension.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s rise to power follows the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led Iran for decades and was one of the most influential figures in the country’s modern political history. The succession was reportedly decided by Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for selecting the country’s supreme leader. Analysts say Mojtaba Khamenei has long been considered an influential figure within Iran’s political and religious establishment, despite holding no formal public office.
Trump’s remarks come at a time of growing tensions in the Middle East and ongoing conflict involving Iran and regional powers. While the U.S. president has criticised Tehran’s leadership choice, he has also indicated that negotiations with Iran could still be possible depending on the circumstances. The comments underscore the fragile state of US–Iran relations and signal that the leadership transition in Tehran could play a significant role in shaping the region’s geopolitical dynamics in the months ahead.
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