Trump Rejects Mojtaba Khamenei’s Leadership Amid “Short-Term” Iran War

President Donald Trump has officially dismissed the legitimacy of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s third Supreme Leader, calling the appointment a “big mistake.” During a televised interview, Trump claimed the war is “very complete” because the regime no longer possesses the means to defend its borders. He framed the military action as a “short-term excursion” aimed at removing “evil” rather than an attempt at long-term occupation.
The transition in Tehran follows the death of Ali Khamenei, whose 37-year reign ended during the initial wave of U.S.-Israeli strikes. Trump suggested that the selection of his son would not last, hinting that the Iranian people might seek a different path forward. Despite the political shifts, U.S. warplanes launched new waves of strikes on Monday to ensure the total destruction of remaining air defenses.
The President took credit for the rapid degradation of Iran’s communications and naval assets, stating they are “all gone.” He emphasized that the U.S. is “far ahead of schedule,” having initially predicted a four-to-five-week campaign. This accelerated timeline has been a key part of Trump’s messaging to a domestic audience wary of extended foreign interventions.
Financial analysts noted that Trump’s suggestion of an early end to the war caused a 27% drop in Brent crude prices from their peak. The President has leveraged this economic influence, warning that a “twenty times harder” hit awaits any nation that interferes with global oil trade. He also mentioned that he is “thinking about taking over” the Strait of Hormuz to guarantee permanent shipping security.
While Trump remains confident in an “ultimate victory,” the displacement of nearly 700,000 people in Lebanon and rising casualties in Iran highlight the scale of the conflict. The President concluded his remarks by stating that the U.S. would not relent until the “danger is ended once and for all.” The world now awaits a formal declaration of the end of hostilities.