President Donald Trump has stated he would support the killing of Iran’s new Supreme Leader if that individual does not comply with U.S. demands. Current and former U.S. officials indicated Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new leader, must agree to halt all nuclear development.
In a recent interview with The New York Post, Trump said he would not disclose details but expressed dissatisfaction with Mojtaba Khamenei: “I’m not happy with him.”
Trump previously asserted that he would have the right to select Iran’s next leader if the nation surrendered unconditionally. During a recent interview with Time Magazine, Trump stated: “I’m not going through this to end up with another Khamenei.” In an interview with Axios, Trump dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei, calling Ali Khamenei’s son “a lightweight” and stating he is “unacceptable to me. I want someone who will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”
Sources indicate Israel would be responsible for carrying out an operation targeting Mojtaba Khamenei. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told CNN: “You’ll have to wait and see.”
Israeli airstrikes have already killed Mojtaba Khamenei’s father, the former Supreme Leader of Iran, and his wife. Officials described Mojtaba Khamenei as a hardline successor to his father, who was named to leadership on Sunday.
Officials stated that the new leader is unlikely to abandon Iran’s alleged nuclear program or negotiate a settlement favorable to the United States.
