Trump to have role in selecting Irans next supreme leader

US President Donald Trump Expresses Interest in Involvement in Iranian Leadership Selection Process

In a recent statement to Axios, US President Donald Trump expressed his intention to be involved in the selection process of Iran’s next supreme leader. Trump stated that he would prefer to have a leader similar to Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, who has been seen as a key figure in maintaining Washington’s influence over Caracas.

Trump’s comments come amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, with the Iranian government denying any negotiations with Washington. The selection process for Iran’s supreme leader is typically carried out by an elected council of 88 members known as the Assembly of Experts.

According to Trita Parsi, executive vice president at the Quincy Institute, Trump’s interest in influencing the selection process appears to be driven by a desire for Iranian surrender. Parsi stated that Trump is seeking a symbolic figure who will pursue his policy preferences, rather than a qualified religious scholar.

The Iranian supreme leader must possess significant religious expertise and has been a key factor in shaping the country’s governance. The Assembly of Experts council is responsible for selecting the next supreme leader, but it is unclear how Trump could be involved in this process given the current hostilities between the US and Iran.

Trump had previously mentioned having individuals in mind to take over as supreme leader, but they were reportedly killed in the initial US-Israeli strikes. The leading figures seen as possible successors to Khamenei include Mojtaba, Hassan Khomeini, and Alireza Arafi, who will be selected by the Assembly of Experts council.

In a separate statement, Trump reiterated his goal of finding an Iranian leader friendly to the US within the existing Islamic Republic system.

Source: Al Jazeera