Chief Washington analyst Robert Costa spoke with President Trump by phone on Saturday. Mr. Trump said he was somewhat surprised that Iran’s retaliatory response has been less than expected by the United States and its allies, though he cautioned the situation is fluid.
Costa said he asked the president what comes next and whether a diplomatic solution is possible. Mr. Trump replied that he believes the strikes could bring Iran closer to a diplomatic solution that he thinks is right for the region and for the United States, because, he said, Iran is “getting beat up so badly.”
Asked who is now running Iran after the killing of the ayatollah, Mr. Trump said he had been briefed about leadership shakeups inside Iran but would not name who he believes is in charge, saying, “I know exactly who is. I just won’t tell you.” He added there are “some good candidates” who could lead Iran in the weeks ahead should discussions pick up.
Costa also raised Congress’s response. Mr. Trump said he is “always willing to work with Congress,” but emphasized that on this and many fronts he is prepared to use his executive power to remove what he perceives as threats to the United States.