Trump says he wants to be involved in selecting Iran’s next leader; Khamenei’s son a ‘lightweight’

By Jacob Magid

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5 March 2026, 6:40 pm

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Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event about the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex, March 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

US President Donald Trump says he needs to be personally involved in selecting Iran’s next leader, just as he was in Venezuela.

“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,” Trump tells Axios in a phone interview, acknowledging reports that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s son Mojtaba has been tapped as a likely successor.

“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump says.

Trump’s comments appear to undercut US claims that the goal of the war in Iran is not regime change, even if it would be a welcome byproduct.