Trump: 'Khamenei’s son is unacceptable… I will be involved in Iran’s succession'

"Fully in favor of the Kurds’ ‘attack on Iran’"

US President Donald Trump on the 5th (local time) argued that he should be involved in shaping the succession to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes.

In a phone interview with US online outlet Axios published that day, Trump said, “I should be involved in that appointment like I did with Delcy in Venezuela.”

He was referring to Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s interim president, who had been vice president when President Nicolás Maduro was ousted by the US military.

Trump praised interim President Rodríguez for boosting oil production and releasing political prisoners, adding that “Venezuela was really amazing” and that US-Venezuela relations were in excellent shape—effectively recognizing her as the figure to lead a transitional government.

On the widely discussed possibility that Iran’s regime could install Mojtaba, Khamenei’s second son, as successor, Trump said, “They’re wasting time,” adding that “Khamenei’s son is lightweight.”

He stressed, “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone who will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

He went on to warn that if Iran installs a leader who carries on Khamenei’s line, the US would have no choice but to go to war against Iran again “within five years.”

In an interview with US political outlet Politico, Trump also said of Khamenei’s second son, “The reason the father didn’t hand the position to the son is because he is regarded as incompetent.”

He added, “We will work with the Iranian people and the regime to ensure someone takes that position who can build Iran into a great country without nuclear weapons.”

Earlier, The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 3rd, citing Iranian officials, that the constitutional body that selects the supreme leader had deliberated a plan to choose Mojtaba as successor.

Mojtaba, 56 this year, is seen as a powerful behind-the-scenes figure riding on his father’s patronage, and is considered a hardliner with formidable influence within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the intelligence services.

The previous day, Trump said regarding Iran’s next leadership, “Everyone who looks like they want to be leader ends up dead.”

Trump also told Reuters that regarding the possibility of a Kurdish attack on Iran, “I think it would be a great thing if they did that,” adding he would be “all for it.”

Asked whether the US would provide air support for a Kurdish attack or had made any related proposal, Trump replied, “I can’t say that.”

Some observers say that if Kurds scattered across Iran, Iraq, Türkiye and Syria become involved, a war with Iran could spread across the Middle East.

Shin Min-kyung, Hankyung.com reporter radio@hankyung.com