In a recent interview with Axios, President Donald Trump stated that the United States should directly involve itself in the selection of Iran's next leader in the wake of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death due to a U.S.-Israeli military operation. He drew parallels to his past involvement in Venezuela's leadership dynamics, asserting that U.S. participation is necessary to prevent recurring conflicts every few years. Trump specifically criticized Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, labeling him as an inadequate successor and suggesting that the U.S. should work together with the Iranian people to find a competent leader who can help build the nation without nuclear weapons.