US President Donald Trump has claimed that he should have a say in determining who will become Iran's supreme leader after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In an interview with Axios, Trump dismissed the possibility of Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, taking over the position, describing him as too weak and unfit to lead the conflict-ridden country.
Trump insisted that he wanted a leader who could bring peace and harmony, rather than continue a hostile policy that would only increase tensions with the United States.
He even drew comparisons with the situation in Venezuela, where he has directly intervened in the country's politics, indicating that he is willing to use American influence to control Iran's future.
The move has sparked huge controversy because in Iran's political system, the supreme leader is usually chosen by the country's internal religious council, and not by foreign powers.
The tensions come amid escalating conflict in the Middle East after the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, which have not only affected the region but also raised global concerns.
Countries such as Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Azerbaijan have reportedly been affected, and many experts fear that the conflict could drag more countries into a larger war.
Trump did not rule out the possibility of further war if Iran's new leader does not live up to his expectations.
His remarks clearly indicate that he would rather see change from within the Iranian political system itself, than witness total chaos or a popular uprising.
