President Trump Demands To Choose Iran's Next Leader

President Trump publicly demanded that the United States have a role in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader.

“The House narrowly rejected a war-powers resolution that would have halted President Trump’s military campaign against Iran and required congressional authorization for further attacks, voting 219–212 along party lines”

Al Jazeera

He explicitly rejected Mojtaba Khamenei as unacceptable and described him as a "lightweight".

Al Jazeera

Multiple outlets reported he told media he should be "involved" or "directly involved" in picking Iran’s next leader.

He compared U.S. influence in Iran’s succession to past U.S. actions in Venezuela.

Trump's comments came as the U.S. and Israel intensified military pressure on Iran.

Outlets placed the remarks amid a widening campaign and regional turmoil.

Al Jazeera

Some reports say strikes killed Iran’s long-time supreme leader.

Other outlets note significant uncertainty about that claim.

Coverage situates Trump’s remarks during a sixth day of U.S.-Israeli pressure and strikes.

Coverage mentions evacuations of U.S. citizens.

Some mainstream reporting warns that credible sources have not confirmed the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Trump framed U.S. involvement as a matter of security and credited his prior policies.

“Trump says he wants to be involved in picking Iran’s next leader as war ripples across the region Trump says he wants to be involved in picking Iran’s next leader as war ripples across the region DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U”

AP News

He rated the U.S. military campaign highly, defended recent strikes as preemptive, and said the United States would ensure Iran’s next leader "will not threaten America."

He invoked his 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal as a preventive measure and publicly rated U.S. performance in the confrontation "about a 15" out of 10.

Trump repeatedly compared his intended role to past U.S. interventions in Venezuela, citing an example involving Delcy Rodríguez.

Analysts in several outlets described a Venezuela-style approach as unrealistic in Iran given its size and entrenched institutions.

Caspianpost

Coverage highlights that comparison and includes analysis that a Maduro-style removal and replacement would be difficult to replicate in Iran.

Domestically and internationally, Trump's statements and the broader campaign have produced political pushback and operational strain.

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Axios

Congress debated and rejected a War Powers resolution to curb further strikes.

CNBC

Markets and public opinion showed strain.

Officials scrambled to evacuate U.S. citizens.

Several outlets record the House's rejection of a war-powers measure, note broader congressional fights over authorization, and describe evacuations and warnings about additional American casualties.