05.03.2026 20:43
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the emergence of Mojtaba Khamenei as a new leader in Iran is unacceptable to him, saying, "Khamenei's son is an insignificant person to me and an unacceptable one... We want someone who will bring compliance and peace to Iran. They are wasting their time."
US President Donald Trump made striking statements regarding the leadership debates in Iran in an interview with the American Axios news portal. Trump said that after the Iranian religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who lost his life in US-Israel attacks, his son Mojtaba Khamenei has emerged as one of the strongest successor candidates.
"UNACCEPTABLE FOR ME"
Trump expressed his opposition to the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei becoming Iran's new leader, stating, "Khamenei's son is insignificant and unacceptable to me... We want someone who will bring harmony and peace to Iran. They are wasting their time. I need to be involved in this leadership election process (in Iran) just like in the election of Delcy Rodriguez in Venezuela."
"COULD PULL THE US BACK INTO WAR"
The US President argued that the rise of a leader who would continue Khamenei's policies would pose a risk for Washington, suggesting that such a scenario could pull the US back into war within a few years. Citing the political change in Venezuela as an example, Trump implied that the US should be influential in the leadership process in Iran as well. Trump also claimed that the military operations conducted against Iran have been "quite successful" so far.
TARGETING SPAIN AND THE UK
Addressing both the Spanish and British governments, Trump emphasized that he expects strong support from these two countries regarding the attacks on Iran that they initiated with Israel. Trump stated, "There are many winners in this process, but Spain is a losing country, and the UK is a great disappointment. Spain's behavior is hostile to NATO."
"THEY ARE NOT GOOD TEAM PLAYERS"
Complaining about Spain not allowing the US military to use its bases and not paying its 5% contribution under NATO, the US President said, "They are not good team players; we will not be team players with Spain again."
"HE IS NOT CHURCHILL"
Attacking UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump said, "He is not Winston Churchill. His performance is disappointing. He should provide us with unquestioning and unwavering support, for example, regarding the use of bases..."