Trump Expresses Disappointment Over Iran’s Selection of New Supreme Leader

President Donald Trump warns that Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment may exacerbate the ongoing conflict.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, visits Hezbollah's office in Tehran, Iran, on Oct. 1, 2024. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA/Handout via Reuters

President Donald Trump said on Monday he was disappointed over Iran’s choice to name Mojtaba Khamenei its new supreme leader, implying the decision by the Iranian regime could add to the nation’s problems as a U.S.–Israeli military campaign against the regime escalates.

Mojtaba Khamenei is the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed alongside other top regime officials in the joint operation late last month.

“I was disappointed because we think it’s going to lead to just more of the same problem for the country. So I was disappointed to see their choice,” Trump said while speaking at a press conference at Trump National Doral.

Responding to a reporter’s question about who he'd like to see lead Iran, Trump said he prefers someone internal, suggesting it’s smoother.

“I like the idea of internal because it works well. I mean, I think we’ve proven that so far in Venezuela. We have a woman, Delcy, who has been president of the country, very respected, she’s doing a great job, and it’s no disruption,” he said.

“As you remember Iraq, where everybody got fired, the military got fired, the police got fired, the politicians got fired. There was nobody. And you know what they turned into: ISIS. And we don’t want that,” Trump added.

The installation of Mojtaba Khamenei comes as U.S. forces execute Operation Epic Fury, which began Feb. 28, in a bid to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, navy, and nuclear ambitions.

Trump suggested the operation is ahead of schedule, saying that 51 Iranian ships have been destroyed and that the conflict could end “very soon.“ He previously said that Iran made ”a big mistake” in choosing Mojtaba Khamenei.

Trump has previously signaled his requirement to the regime that the United States have a say in selecting a successor, pointing to its success in Venezuela. He suggested being open to backing an internal figure over exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.

Mojtaba Khamenei’s accession came after days of chaos following his father’s death, with Israeli strikes hitting the Assembly of Experts as they deliberated on a successor. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called any new leader an “unequivocal target for elimination.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the U.S. actions, such as the sinking of Iranian vessels, warning that Washington would “bitterly regret” such actions.

U.S. submarines have engaged Iranian warships in international waters, and Israeli airstrikes have targeted Hezbollah sites in Lebanon.

Trump, who said he has no message for Iran’s new leader, called on Iranian diplomats to seek asylum and assist in rebuilding a country that has “great potential.”

The president also celebrated the military on its operation in Iran, rating the operation a “15” on a scale of 1 to 10, while saying the United States holds inexhaustible munitions stockpiles.

The Senate on March 5 rejected a bill to bar U.S. military strikes without congressional approval, voting 47–53 against a war powers resolution.