US President Donald Trump has said whoever emerges as the next supreme leader of Iran may struggle to remain in power without the backing of America.
Speaking during an interview with ABC News on Sunday, Trump suggested that Washington would play a critical role in determining whether the incoming leader could maintain stability.
The comments come as Iran prepares to announce a successor to its late supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, following reports that he was killed during recent military operations involving the United States and Israel.
According to Trump, any new Iranian leader would need to engage with the United States to avoid renewed tensions, particularly over Iran’s nuclear programme.
He also indicated that he could support a candidate linked to Iran’s current political structure if such a person was capable of steering the country in a direction that avoids future conflicts.
Iranian authorities, however, have dismissed the suggestion that Washington could influence the leadership selection process.
Mahdavi Raja, Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, previously described Trump’s remarks about choosing Iran’s next leader as unrealistic.
Iran’s leadership council is expected to announce the country’s next supreme leader in the coming days as political developments continue to unfold in the region.