Trump Demands Role in Choosing Iran's Next Supreme Leader

U.S. President Donald Trump says he must help select Iran's next supreme leader. He also rejected the potential succession of the current leader's son. Trump made the statements in an interview on Thursday. They followed the killing of Iran's top authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy," Trump said. He referred to Delcy Rodriguez, the interim president of Venezuela. The U.S. ousted her boss, Nicolas Maduro. Rodriguez then cooperated with Trump under threat of further U.S. action. The president's comments suggest he seeks similar influence over Iran's future leadership. The role of supreme leader is the most powerful position in Iran's political system.