President Trump wants to pick Iran’s next leader

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - President Donald Trump says he wants a say in choosing Iran’s next leader.

With the U.S.-led military conflict against Iran now in its sixth day, the President already focused on Iran’s future and who should lead the country.

“It’s a country with great potential, as much better future for Iran is now beginning. It’s going to be, I think, a great future. And the United States will ensure that whoever leads the country next, Iran will not threaten America or its neighbors, Israel, anybody,” the president said before celebrating the MLS cup with Miami’s football club.

In an interview with Axios, President Trump discussed Iran’s plans to soon name a successor to the country’s recently-killed Supreme Leader, telling the digital outlet:

“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela.”

Meanwhile, Iranian Kurdish forces based in Iraq are reportedly* *preparing armed units that could enter Iran. For twenty-some years, the Kurds have had an autonomous region in northern Iraq.

But on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called those reports, “completely false.”

Separately, the State Department says its stepping up its efforts to help evacuate thousands of Americans stranded in the Middle East. Thousands of flights have been cancelled due oto the closure of airspace around the region.

The first charter flight of American citizens arrived in the U.S. Wednesday. Additional flights will soon be departing from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

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