Trump Insists US Approval Needed for Iran’s Next Supreme Leader

Former US President Donald Trump has asserted that any successor to the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, will require US approval to maintain power. This statement comes amid a period of heightened geopolitical tension following the death of Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli operation on March 1, 2026 .

Trump’s Conditions for Approval

Appearing on ABC News, Trump stated that the clerics selecting Khamenei’s replacement “are going to have to get approval from us.” He warned that a leader without US approval “is not going to last long,” and emphasized the require to avoid a repeat of past situations requiring intervention .

Trump specifically expressed concern about Iran developing nuclear weapons, stating, “I don’t want people to have to go back in five years and have to do the same thing again or worse let them have a nuclear weapon.” He indicated a willingness to approve a candidate with ties to the previous regime if they were deemed a suitable leader, stating, “I would, in order to choose a good leader I would, yeah, I would” .

Background on Recent Events

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, was killed in a joint American-Israeli operation on Saturday, March 1, 2026, as confirmed by Iranian state media . The operation targeted top Iranian security officials, including the country’s defense minister, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the secretary of the Iranian Security Council .

Following the announcement of Khamenei’s death, Trump posted on Truth Social, calling him “one of the most evil people in history” . He also warned Iran against retaliation, threatening a response “with a force that has never been seen before!” .

Iran’s Response and International Reactions

Iran responded to the strikes by firing missiles at Israel and US bases across the region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan . Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Iran was interested in de-escalation and willing to talk if the US and Israel halted attacks, but asserted that regime change was “mission impossible” .