Iran has rejected U.S. interference in its leadership succession, with Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi insisting that the next leader will be chosen solely by the Iranian people, amid escalating tensions with the United States.
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press”, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran would not allow external interference in its internal affairs, stressing that the choice of a new leader rests solely with the Iranian people.
His remarks came after Trump reiterated his position in an interview with ABC News, saying he wanted a role in determining Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of Ali Khamenei in the early stages of the U.S.-Israeli military conflict that began nine days ago.
Trump said any successor would need approval from the United States and warned that without it, the individual would not remain in power.
Trump has also indicated openness to a successor with ties to Iran’s pre-1979 leadership, saying several candidates could qualify.
Araghchi declined to comment on who might succeed the late leader, while Iranian state media reported that the clerical body responsible for the selection process had voted and would soon announce a name.
Rejecting U.S. involvement in the matter, Araghchi said Trump should apologize to the people of the region and to Iranians for the destruction and casualties caused during the conflict.
He also defended Iran’s military response, stating that its strikes targeted U.S. bases in the region. According to him, Iran’s missiles cannot reach the U.S. mainland, and its actions were focused on American installations nearby.
Araghchi maintained that Iran was acting in self-defence, adding that the United States initiated the conflict. Meanwhile, Trump has claimed that Iranian missiles could soon be capable of reaching U.S. territory, although recent U.S. intelligence assessments have indicated that Iran does not currently possess intercontinental ballistic missiles and may require years
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