U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that whoever succeeds Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei may struggle to remain in power without Washington’s acceptance.
Speaking on Sunday, Trump said Iran’s next leader would need U.S. approval to endure, as Tehran prepares to announce a successor following Khamenei’s death in recent U.S.–Israeli strikes on his compound.
Nine days after the attack that killed the long-time Iranian leader and intensified conflict across the Middle East, Iran’s powerful clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, met behind closed doors and selected a new supreme leader. Members said the identity of the successor would be revealed soon.
Speculation has centred on Khamenei’s 56-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is widely seen as a conservative figure with strong ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Trump had earlier criticised the possibility of Mojtaba taking over, calling him a “lightweight” and insisting Washington should have influence over the choice.
“He’s going to have to get approval from us,” Trump told ABC News. “If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long.”
Iran, however, rejected the suggestion outright. Speaking on Meet the Press on NBC, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the leadership decision was an internal matter and that Tehran would “allow nobody to interfere in our domestic affairs.” He also called on Trump to apologise to people across the region for escalating the conflict.
Meanwhile, Israel warned that it would not hesitate to target Iran’s next leader if necessary, underscoring the intensifying confrontation.
Tehran Hit by New Strikes
Overnight Israeli air raids targeted fuel depots around the Iranian capital, Tehran, killing at least four people and sending thick smoke across the city, according to an Iranian oil official.
Authorities said the strikes temporarily disrupted fuel distribution, while residents reported shattered windows and heavy smoke filling the air.
A resident described the situation as dire, saying the fires had burned for more than 12 hours and the air had become “unbreathable.”
The attacks came alongside another strike in central Beirut, Lebanon, reportedly aimed at suspected Iranian military commanders.
Missile Exchanges Continue
As the conflict entered its ninth day, Iran’s military said it had enough supplies to sustain drone and missile attacks for up to six months.
Several explosions were reported over Tel Aviv after Israel’s military detected incoming Iranian missiles. The emergency service Magen David Adom said six people were injured in central Israel.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also warned they could soon deploy more advanced long-range missiles.
Regional Impact Spreads
The conflict has increasingly spilled beyond Israel and Iran. In Saudi Arabia, officials said two people were killed and 12 injured when a projectile struck Al Kharj Province. Earlier, Saudi authorities said they intercepted drones headed toward the diplomatic district in Riyadh.
Damage was also reported in neighbouring countries, with Kuwait saying fuel tanks at its international airport were hit, while Bahrain reported damage to a desalination plant.
Iran’s health ministry said at least 1,200 civilians had been killed and around 10,000 wounded since the fighting began, although the figures could not be independently verified.
In Lebanon, the health ministry reported 394 deaths from Israeli air strikes since the country became involved in the conflict, including dozens of women and children.
No Clear End to the War
Despite the growing casualties and destruction, analysts say there is still no clear path to ending the war, which U.S. and Israeli officials believe could continue for several weeks.
Trump has suggested Iran’s economy could be rebuilt if a leader acceptable to Washington replaces Khamenei.
Major powers such as China and Russia have so far avoided direct involvement. China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, said the war “should never have happened” and warned the world must not return to “the law of the jungle.”
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV called for an end to the violence, urging that “the roar of the bombs may cease and a space for dialogue may open.”
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