Trump Backs ‘Popular Leader Within Iran’ as Mojtaba Khamenei Emerges as Successor Candidate

Iran’s clerical establishment is reportedly considering Mojtaba Khamenei, the second-eldest son of slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as a possible successor. But as Tehran deliberates over its next leader, strong reactions from Israel and the United States have added new uncertainty to the succession process.

Senior clerics responsible for choosing the next supreme leader held discussions on March 3 under tense circumstances. The powerful Assembly of Experts, which appoints Iran’s supreme leader, reportedly met after an Israeli strike destroyed a building in the city of Qom associated with the body.

While the facility had been targeted during the conflict, Iranian reports suggested the meeting still went ahead as clerics considered possible successors.

Among the names discussed, Mojtaba Khamenei has emerged as a leading contender. However, Israel has issued a stark warning regarding whoever takes the position next.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said any leader chosen to continue Iran’s hostile policies would be treated as a legitimate target. “Any leader appointed by the Iranian regime to continue threatening Israel, the United States and the region will be an unequivocal target for elimination,” he said, adding that it “does not matter what his name is or where he hides.”

The succession debate has also drawn comments from US President Donald Trump, who suggested that Iran’s next leader should emerge from within the country rather than from exile.

Trump downplayed the role of Iran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who has been seeking international backing as a possible alternative leader if the current system collapses. While describing Pahlavi as “a nice guy,” Trump said a figure already inside Iran and popular with the public would be a more suitable option.

The US president also revealed that the ongoing war has drastically reduced the pool of potential Iranian leaders that Washington had previously considered. Trump said many individuals whom his administration viewed as possible figures for Iran’s future leadership had already been killed during the conflict.

According to Trump, even members of a second group of potential leaders may have suffered the same fate in the fighting. “Most of the people we had in mind are dead,” he said, suggesting that the search for viable leadership alternatives may now have moved to a “third wave” of possible candidates.

The uncertainty surrounding Iran’s next leader comes as the region remains tense following the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei and continuing military confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

With Tehran’s clerics still deliberating and external powers openly warning against hostile leadership, the choice of Iran’s next supreme leader could shape the future balance of power in the Middle East.