Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed strong disapproval over the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader of Iran.
Mojtaba, the second son of Ali Khamenei, was officially confirmed on March 8, 2026, just days after his father was killed in a coordinated attack by U.S. and Israeli forces on February 28, 2026.
Speaking to reporters in Florida earlier this week, Trump described the succession as “deeply troubling” and expressed fears it could escalate regional instability.
“We think this will continue to cause problems for the country, as has been the case before,” Trump said.
In an interview with Axios, Trump added that he does not recognize Mojtaba Khamenei and insisted that the United States should have a role in selecting a new Iranian leader capable of bringing peace.
“The son of Khamenei is not acceptable. We need someone who can restore calm and bring peace to Iran,” he stated.
When asked whether Mojtaba Khamenei should be targeted in military operations, Trump declined to specify a position. However, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly condemned Mojtaba, labeling him a hardline operative involved in his father’s violent rule, as part of ongoing efforts to hold Iran’s leadership accountable.
Political analysts warn that if Mojtaba survives potential U.S. and Israeli actions, his leadership could significantly shift the dynamics of ongoing conflicts in the region. Mojtaba is widely believed to hold even stronger anti-U.S. and anti-Israel sentiments than his father, raising concerns over heightened tensions.
