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Donald Trump has recently made bold statements regarding Iran’s leadership, specifically stating that he must be involved in choosing Iran’s supreme leader and that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son Mojtaba would not be acceptable to the US as the country’s next leader.
In a telephone interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump expressed his desire to play a role in selecting Iran’s future leader to avoid the need for frequent regime changes. He emphasized the importance of choosing a leader who can bring harmony and peace to Iran.
The US president’s remarks indicate a heightened ambition to bring about regime change in Tehran, drawing parallels to American intervention in Venezuela. Iranian regime loyalists have been promoting Mojtaba Khamenei as a potential successor to his father, who was killed in US and Israeli air strikes.
Despite speculation surrounding Mojtaba Khamenei, Trump made it clear that he finds him unacceptable as a leader. He likened the situation to the US-led removal of Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro, expressing support for vice-president Delcy Rodríguez who assumed leadership of the country.
While Trump did not disclose his preferred candidate to lead Iran, he mentioned Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah of Iran, as a possibility. He emphasized that it was still early in the process and that all options were being considered.
As tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, with Iran and its proxy groups launching attacks against Israel and Gulf states, the region remains volatile. Recent events, including drone attacks and embassy closures, have further heightened the conflict.
In light of these developments, the US announced the closure of its embassy in Kuwait following alleged drone attacks on US forces in the region. The situation remains fluid, with uncertainty surrounding the future leadership of Iran and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
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