Washington, 5 March 2026 (dpa/MIA) - US President Donald Trump is insisting on being involved in the selection of Iran's next leader, the Axios news portal reported on Thursday following an interview with the president.

He made clear that Mojtaba Khamenei - the son of supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an air strike on Saturday - would not be acceptable.

"They are wasting their time. Khamenei's son is a lightweight," Trump told Axios. "I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela," he added.

"Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran," the US president said.

The US administration has denied seeking regime change in Iran. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the aim was rather to destroy Iran's navy and missile programme.

An 88-member Assembly of Experts officially appoints the next supreme leader, however political manoeuvring in Tehran is likely to decide the issue.

Shiite cleric Sadegh Larijani, former president Hassan Rouhani and Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the first supreme leader, are seen as in the running, alongside Mojtaba Khamenei.

Photo: EPA