"Khamenei's Son Unacceptable"... Trump Demands Pro-American Regime in Iran (Comprehensive)

Considering a Pro-American Moderate as the Next Leader
Mojtaba is a Hardliner
Airstrikes Lose Significance if an Anti-American Regime Takes Power
Diverting Iranian Forces Using Kurdish Groups
Aiming for Popular Uprising and Regime Chan

On March 5 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he must be involved in the succession process for Iran's Supreme Leader. This is interpreted to mean that, following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, someone who is moderate and friendly toward the United States should take over the next government.

In a telephone interview with Axios that day, President Trump said, "Just like in Venezuela, I must be directly involved in the selection of Iran's next leader."

Earlier this year, the Trump administration launched a surprise operation to detain Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, subsequently recognizing Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as the de facto leader of the transitional government. Similarly, this is interpreted as an intention to ensure that Iran will choose a moderate and cooperative successor for the United States.

President Trump stated, "They (Iran) are wasting time," and added, "Khamenei's son is a lightweight." He continued, "Khamenei's son is unacceptable," emphasizing, "We want someone who can bring harmony and peace to Iran."

This stance contrasts with President Trump's previous emphasis on 'nuclear disarmament' as the objective of U.S. airstrikes on Iran. President Trump’s direct remarks about Iran’s succession process underscore his belief that a regime hostile to the United States should not come to power.

After the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei due to U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, the Iranian government convened the Assembly of Experts to consider Khamenei's second son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as a successor. Mojtaba, long considered to hold the inner circle of his father’s power, is known to wield significant influence over the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and intelligence agencies. In particular, he is classified as a hardliner in Iran.

President Trump warned Axios that if Iran installs a leader who continues Khamenei's hardline policies, the United States would "inevitably" find itself at war with Iran again "within five years."

Kurdish Female Sniper

Previously, in an interview with Politico, President Trump also stated, "We will work with the Iranian people and regime to ensure that someone who can build a great Iran without nuclear weapons rises to that position."

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) pointed out that if another hardliner like Mojtaba comes to power and pursues an anti-U.S. stance as well as nuclear weapons development, the recent airstrikes on Iran would be rendered meaningless. Instead, it is likely that having moderates within the IRGC take power would be preferable to the previous Supreme Leader Khamenei.

However, it is not feasible to continue war solely for the purpose of 'regime change.' To achieve regime change in Iran, the deployment of ground troops to secure territory and maintain public order would be unavoidable. As President Trump himself criticized his predecessors for waging war with other countries during his last presidential campaign, the justification for such an action would be weak.

President Trump's remarks to Reuters on the same day, expressing he is "all for it" regarding the possibility of Kurdish attacks on Iran, are seen as being made with this situation in mind.

Since the U.S. military cannot directly intervene to support regime change, the Jerusalem Post analyzed that Kurdish armed groups could be used to disperse Iranian military and police forces, thereby sparking an uprising within Iran. In fact, CNN reported that the CIA is in discussions with Kurdish groups in an effort to expand anti-government protests in Iran.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.