March 9, 2026
SUNTV Global News
United States President, Donald Trump, has strongly criticised Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader, describing the move as a “huge mistake” following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei.
Trump made the remarks during an interview with NBC News, reported by Al Jazeera, shortly after Iranian authorities confirmed that Mojtaba had assumed the powerful position after the elder Khamenei was killed during recent joint military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel.
“I think they made a big mistake,” Trump said while reacting to Tehran’s decision to elevate Mojtaba Khamenei to the top leadership position of the Islamic Republic.
The U.S. president also dismissed the new Iranian leader as a “lightweight,” expressing doubts about his ability to consolidate power in Iran during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment marks a significant shift in Iran’s leadership structure after the death of Ali Khamenei, who ruled the country for more than three decades and served as its highest political and religious authority.
The elder Khamenei was reportedly killed on February 28, 2026, in targeted strikes on Tehran carried out jointly by the United States and Israel. The attacks were aimed at key Iranian leadership and military facilities and have since escalated geopolitical tensions across the region.
Iranian state media confirmed the death, while U.S. officials also acknowledged the operation. In response, Iranian authorities declared a 40-day national mourning period.
During the NBC interview, Trump also addressed speculation that Washington might consider targeting Iran’s oil resources — a crucial pillar of the country’s economy.
The U.S. president said it was “too soon to talk about” seizing Iranian oil but added that he would not completely rule out the possibility depending on how the situation develops.
Analysts say Mojtaba Khamenei’s emergence as Iran’s new Supreme Leader could significantly reshape the country’s internal power structure, particularly within the powerful clerical establishment and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Although Iran’s political ideology traditionally opposes hereditary succession, Mojtaba is believed to enjoy strong backing from influential elements within the security establishment, including the Revolutionary Guards, as well as loyalists from his father’s inner circle.
Ali Khamenei had ruled Iran since 1989 and was widely seen as a central figure in shaping the country’s hardline ideological stance against Israel and Western powers. His leadership also played a key role in building the regional network often referred to as the “Axis of Resistance,” which includes armed groups across Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Palestine.
Trump’s latest remarks further highlight the deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran, as tensions between both countries continue to intensify following the strikes and the subsequent political transition inside Iran.
