Trump says next Iran leader won't 'last long' without his approval

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran’s next supreme leader would struggle to remain in power without Washington’s approval.

In an interview with ABC News, Trump warned that whoever succeeds the late Ali Khamenei would need to secure acceptance from the United States to maintain authority. “He’s going to have to get approval from us,” Trump said, adding that without it, the new leader “is not going to last long.”

The remarks came as Iran’s Assembly of Experts — the clerical body tasked with appointing the country’s supreme leader — was reported to have completed a vote on Khamenei’s successor, with an official announcement expected soon.

According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, the process was nearing completion, though “some obstacles” still remained before the final decision could be announced. A senior cleric from the assembly had earlier said members would convene within a day to select the next leader.

Iranian media reported that two assembly members, Ayatollah Mohsen Heidari Alekasir and Ahmad Alamolhoda, indicated that a successor had already been chosen. Alamolhoda said the official announcement would be made by Ayatollah Hashem Hosseini Bushehri, who heads the assembly’s secretariat.

The leadership transition comes amid escalating conflict in the region. Since the war began on February 28, Israeli and US strikes have killed several senior Iranian officials and military commanders, including Khamenei. Iranian media also reported earlier this week that an auxiliary building belonging to the Assembly of Experts in the city of Qom was destroyed in air strikes.