With Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that any next Iranian leader who does not have his approval will not last long. Khamenei's younger son, Mojtaba, is widely seen as the favorite to be chosen as successor.
On the 8th (local time), Trump said in an interview with ABC News, "He has to be approved by us," adding, "If he does not get our approval, he will not last long."
Trump said, "I don't want (American) people to have to go back (to Iran) and do the same thing again in five years, or worse, to let them have nuclear weapons." Asked whether he would be willing to approve a figure linked to Iran's old regime (the Pahlavi dynasty), he said, "I would, if it means choosing a good leader," adding, "There are countless qualified people."
As U.S. military operations against Iran entered their second week, Trump called Iran "(right now) a paper tiger," adding, "Even a week ago (before the U.S. airstrikes began), they were not a paper tiger. They were trying to attack (the United States)." He also said, "Their plan was to attack and take over the entire Middle East." On the possibility of deploying special forces to secure Iran's enriched uranium, Trump emphasized, "Everything is on the table. Everything."
On the length of the war with Iran, Trump said, "I don't know. I never predict," adding, "What I can say is that in terms of lethality (of the strikes) and time, we are ahead of schedule." On the rise in oil prices due to the war, he said, "I think it's fine. That's a small problem."
Addressing criticism that core supporters, including the "MAGA" (Make America Great Again) camp, are not backing this war, he countered, "What we are doing is MAGA," adding, "Otherwise we, too, would lose the country or be attacked." He continued, "MAGA is saving America," and said, "I have higher support with MAGA than ever."
Iran's Assembly of Experts is reported to be selecting a successor leader to Ayatollah Khamenei, who was killed in U.S. and Israeli attacks, with an announcement expected soon. His younger son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is currently seen as the favorite.