Speaking during an interview with Axios on Thursday, Trump rejected the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son and a widely discussed successor, taking over the position. He described Mojtaba as unacceptable and stressed the need for a leader who would promote peace and stability in Iran.
Trump said, “They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy Rodriguez in Venezuela. Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”
Meanwhile, officials in the Middle East have reportedly warned European authorities that the growing tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel could trigger internal unrest in Iran. According to European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, several countries in the region are worried that the leadership crisis could lead to a civil war.
Kallas made the remarks ahead of a virtual meeting with EU foreign ministers and representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council. She explained that regional governments are increasingly concerned about instability within Iran due to the uncertainty surrounding the country’s leadership.
The European Union is pushing for diplomacy as the best path to ease the crisis. Kallas noted that conflicts usually end through dialogue and emphasized the need to create space for diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.