U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran’s next supreme leader “won’t last long” without his approval, as Tehran moves closer to selecting a successor following the reported killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Speaking to ABC News, Trump stated that the future Iranian leader would need to gain acceptance from the United States or risk being removed from power. “He’s going to have to get approval from us,” Trump said, adding that without it the leader “is not going to last long.”
Trump also said he would be willing to work with figures connected to the existing Iranian regime if they could lead the country in a way that prevents future threats, particularly regarding nuclear weapons development. He emphasized that Washington wants to ensure the situation does not return to a cycle where Iran could again pursue nuclear capabilities.
The president further claimed that Iran had been planning to expand its influence and dominate the Middle East, describing the country as a “paper tiger” following recent military strikes by the United States and Israel targeting Iranian military and nuclear-related sites.
Trump also said “everything is on the table,” including potential operations to seize or neutralize Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles. U.S. officials have warned that Iran previously had enough enriched uranium that could reach weapons-grade levels within days if further processed.
The remarks come amid an escalating conflict involving U.S. and Israeli strikes across Iran, with thousands of targets reportedly hit since the start of the campaign and ongoing discussions about the future of Iran’s leadership and nuclear program.
