President Trump characterized the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new Supreme Leader a “big mistake,” signaling a further hardening of the U.S. stance toward Tehran.

The criticism comes during a period of intense regional conflict following the death of the previous Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28.

Rejection of the Succession: Speaking to reporters and in interviews with NBC News and Fox News, Trump expressed “unhappiness” with the choice, stating that the new leader would “have to get approval from us” to be considered acceptable.

Comparison to Venezuela: Trump suggested that Iran might follow a similar path to Venezuela, referencing the recent capture of Nicolás Maduro. He also did not rule out the possibility of seizing Iranian oil, though he noted it was “premature” to discuss specifics.

Status of the Conflict: Trump claimed that the U.S. military operations in Iran—part of the ongoing “Operation Epic Fury”—were producing results “way beyond expectation” and suggested the war could be over “very soon.”

Potential for Negotiation: Despite the sharp rhetoric, Trump mentioned to Fox News that he might be willing to talk with Tehran “on the right terms,” though he remains skeptical that the new leadership can “live in peace.”

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was officially named the third Supreme Leader since the 1979 Revolution by the Assembly of Experts on March 8. His appointment is seen by analysts as a victory for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), with whom he has deep ties