The selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader of Iran has drawn varied reactions both inside the country and internationally. Brian Kilmeade, a host at Fox News, said that Donald Trump, president of the United States, told him he was “not satisfied” with Khamenei’s selection. Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role after his father, Ali Khamenei, was reportedly killed in joint strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. In an interview with ABC News, Trump also said that any future Iranian leader who does not receive Washington’s approval “will not last long.” Meanwhile, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, told NBC that Tehran would not allow foreign interference in the process of choosing its leader, emphasizing that the matter is an internal issue. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei, describing his selection as the beginning of “a new era of dignity and strength” for the Iranian nation. He said the decision was made by a majority vote of the Assembly of Experts.
