Trump wants say on Iran’s next leader as war intensifies
DUBAI/WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the right to join Iran in deciding its next leader as the war escalated today, with U.S. and Israeli jets hitting areas across the country and Gulf cities coming under renewed bombardment.
In an interview with Reuters, Trump said Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei – a hardliner who has been considered a favourite to succeed his father – was an unlikely choice.
“We want to be involved in the process of choosing the person who is going to lead Iran into the future,” he said by telephone.
“We don’t have to go back every five years and do this again and again … Somebody that’s going to be great for the people, great for the country.”
Trump also encouraged Iranian Kurdish forces to go on the offensive.
“I think it’s wonderful that they want to do that, I’d be all for it,” Trump said. He would not say whether the United States would provide air cover for any Kurdish offensive.
The Trump administration has had contact with Iranian Kurdish groups since the U.S.-Israeli strikes began.
Two drone attacks targeted an Iranian opposition camp in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday, as well as an oil field operated by an American firm, security sources said.
