Amid widening war in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump warned that Iran’s next supreme leader would not remain in power without Washington’s approval, as Tehran moved closer to announcing the successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in recent US-Israeli strikes.
Iran’s powerful Assembly of Experts has already chosen the country’s next leader in a closed-door vote but has not yet announced the name publicly. An Iranian cleric involved in the vote indicated Khamenei’s hardline son may become supreme leader.
“He’s going to have to get approval from us,” Trump told ABC News. “If he doesn’t get approval from us he’s not going to last long.”
The US President has previously criticised the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s 56-year-old son, taking over the position. Trump described him earlier as an unacceptable “lightweight”.
However, Iran rejected the idea that outside powers could influence the choice of the country’s leader. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the decision was entirely Iran’s internal matter. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, he also called on Trump to apologise to the region for the escalating conflict.
“We will allow nobody to interfere in our domestic affairs,” Araghchi said.
KHAMENEI’S SON EMERGES AS POSSIBLE SUCCESSOR
Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for appointing the supreme leader, said a decision has already been made and that the name would be announced soon.
Ayatollah Hosseinali Eshkevari, a member of the body, suggested the leadership would remain within the Khamenei family.
“The name of Khamenei will continue,” he said in a video released by Iranian media. “The vote has been cast and will be announced soon.”
If confirmed, Mojtaba Khamenei would inherit the most powerful position in Iran. The supreme leader has the final authority over the military, government and judiciary. Mojtaba Khamenei is closely connected with Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards and represents the conservative faction within the country’s political system.
WAR INTENSIFIES AS ISRAEL HITS TEHRAN OIL DEPOTS
The leadership decision comes as the war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance entered its second week. Overnight strikes hit several oil storage facilities around Tehran, setting off massive fires and sending thick black smoke across parts of the city. Iranian officials said at least four people were killed in the attacks.
Israel said the oil facilities were used to support Iran’s military operations and were therefore legitimate targets.
The conflict has now spread across much of the Middle East. Iran has launched missiles and drones at Israel and several Gulf countries, while Israel continues strikes in Iran and Lebanon. Explosions were reported in Tel Aviv after Iranian missiles were detected heading toward the city. Emergency services said six people were wounded.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the country still had enough supplies to continue its missile and drone campaign for up to six months.
Several Gulf states have also reported attacks. Saudi Arabia said two people were killed and 12 injured after a projectile struck a residential area in Al-Kharj. Kuwait reported strikes on fuel tanks at its international airport, while Bahrain said a desalination plant was damaged.
The human cost of the conflict continues to grow. Iranian officials say more than 1,200 civilians have been killed and around 10,000 injured since the war began, though the figures could not be independently verified. In Lebanon, nearly 400 people have died in Israeli strikes, while Israeli authorities say at least 10 people have been killed in Iran’s missile attacks.
With inputs from agencies
