Iran’s Foreign Minister Says Iranian People, Not Trump ,Will Choose Next Supreme Leader

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the Iranian people and the Assembly of Experts will decide the country’s next supreme leader following the death of Ali Khamenei, rejecting comments by U.S. President Donald Trump.

By Precious E.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected comments from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Washington should influence the selection of Iran’s next supreme leader.

Speaking on Sunday during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Araghchi said the decision about who leads the country rests solely with the Iranian people and their political institutions.

His remarks come days after the death of Iran’s longtime leader, Ali Khamenei, during the early stage of the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.

“We allow nobody to interfere in our domestic affairs,” Araghchi said during the interview. “This is up to the Iranian people to elect their new leader.”

Shortly after the interview aired, President Trump repeated his claim that Washington should have influence over who succeeds Khamenei.

In comments reported by U.S. media, Trump said the next Iranian leader would need approval from the United States in order to remain in power.

Iran’s leadership succession under review

Iranian state media reported that the body responsible for selecting the country’s supreme leader, the Assembly of Experts, has already voted on a successor. The name of the chosen candidate is expected to be announced soon.

Araghchi declined to identify who might take the position. Instead, he said the formal process must play out through the clerical council.

“We have to wait for the Assembly of Experts to convene and vote for the new supreme leader,” he said.

Several religious figures in Iran have suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late leader, could be considered for the role. Trump has previously voiced opposition to that possibility.

In a separate interview with ABC News, the U.S. president said a candidate connected to the Iranian government that existed before the Iranian Revolution could also emerge as a potential leader.

Iran demands apology over war

During the NBC interview, Araghchi also called on Trump to apologize to the Iranian public and to countries across the Middle East for the conflict that erupted earlier this month.

The war began after coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian positions. Tehran responded with missile attacks aimed at military installations connected to the United States in nearby countries.

Araghchi defended those strikes, saying they were directed at American bases in the region rather than neighboring governments.

“It is Americans who started this war against us,” he said. “We are defending ourselves.”

According to the foreign minister, Iranian missiles are aimed at U.S. facilities in nearby countries because they cannot currently reach American territory.

Trump has warned that Iran could eventually develop missiles capable of striking the United States. However, U.S. intelligence assessments released in recent years indicated that Iran had not yet developed intercontinental ballistic missiles and may not do so until the mid-2030s.

Why the Iran leadership transition Is Important

The selection of a new leader following the death of Ali Khamenei marks one of the most sensitive political transitions in Iran in decades.

The supreme leader holds the highest authority in the country, overseeing military forces, foreign policy decisions, and major political institutions.

With fighting still underway across parts of the Middle East, the identity of Iran’s next supreme leader could shape the country’s relations with the United States and its regional rivals for years.

Iran’s foreign minister said the country’s leadership transition will proceed under its own constitutional process.

He repeated that the choice of the next supreme leader will be determined inside Iran, not by outside governments, including the administration of Donald Trump.