Trump Says He’s “Not Happy” With Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei
President Donald Trump has expressed strong dissatisfaction with Iran’s decision to appoint Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, warning that the leadership change could prolong tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Speaking in a phone conversation with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, Trump bluntly said he was “not happy” about Mojtaba Khamenei’s rise to power. The comments came shortly after Iranian state media confirmed that Mojtaba had been selected to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the beginning of the ongoing war between Iran and the United States-Israel alliance.
The younger Khamenei’s appointment marks a major moment in Iranian politics, as it effectively keeps leadership within the same powerful clerical family after more than three decades of rule by his father.
Trump Previously Warned Against Mojtaba Khamenei Taking Power
Trump had already signaled his opposition to Mojtaba Khamenei even before the official announcement. In interviews last week, the president dismissed him as a “lightweight” and said he would be “unacceptable” as Iran’s next leader.
Trump also suggested that the United States should have some influence over who ultimately leads Iran following the upheaval caused by the war.
“Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment,” Trump said in an earlier interview, comparing the situation to U.S. involvement in political changes in Venezuela.
The remarks underscored the administration’s view that leadership in Tehran could determine whether the conflict escalates further or moves toward a resolution.
Concerns About Iran’s Future Leadership
Trump has repeatedly warned that replacing one Iranian leader with another who pursues the same policies could undermine the goals of the U.S. military intervention.
According to the president, the worst possible outcome would be removing the previous leadership only to see someone equally hardline take control.
“The worst case would be we do this and then somebody takes over who’s as bad as the previous person,” Trump said in earlier comments.
His administration has argued that long-term stability in the region will depend on a leader willing to change Iran’s policies on issues such as nuclear development and regional militias.
Trump Suggests Iran’s New Leader Needs U.S. Approval
Before Mojtaba Khamenei was officially chosen, Trump went even further, implying that any Iranian leader would need Washington’s approval to remain in power.
In an interview with ABC News, the president said Iran’s next leader would “have to get approval from us”, warning that otherwise the position might not last long.
Those comments reflected the broader strategy of the U.S. government during the conflict, which has sought to reshape Iran’s political structure after the death of Ali Khamenei.
Who Is Mojtaba Khamenei?
Mojtaba Khamenei, now 57 years old, spent much of his career working quietly behind the scenes while his father served as Iran’s supreme leader for decades.
Although he rarely appeared publicly, analysts say he developed strong connections with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), one of the most powerful institutions in Iran’s political and military system.
His elevation to supreme leader signals continuity within the Iranian establishment, rather than the sweeping political shift some Western leaders had hoped might occur after the elder Khamenei’s death.
A Defiant Move by Iran
Despite Trump’s public objections, Iran’s leadership moved forward with Mojtaba Khamenei’s selection. The country’s Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for choosing the supreme leader, reportedly approved him in a unanimous vote.
The decision has been interpreted by many observers as a defiant signal that Tehran intends to maintain its current political and ideological direction despite pressure from the United States.
Rising Tensions Over Iran’s Leadership
Trump has indicated that Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment could complicate efforts to end the conflict or reshape Iran’s political system.
While the president has not outlined specific actions in response to the leadership change, his remarks suggest the United States may continue exerting pressure on Tehran as the war and political uncertainty in the region continue.
For now, Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership begins under intense international scrutiny—and with Washington openly questioning whether his rule will last.
