In a phone interview with NBC News, President Donald Trump said he wants Iran’s leadership structure removed and suggested he has people in mind who would make a ‘‘good leader,’’ though he declined to identify them. He said the United States is taking steps to try to keep those individuals alive during the conflict and that officials are monitoring them.
The comments expanded on remarks Trump made in a recent NBC interview, when he quipped that at some point Iranian officials might call him to ask who he would prefer to lead the country. On Thursday he framed a full removal of Iran’s ruling elite as an objective, saying the goal is to prevent a long, slow rebuild of the previous order.
Responding to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said Iran was prepared for a ground invasion by U.S. or Israeli forces, Trump dismissed that as a wasted comment and indicated an invasion was not currently under consideration. He argued that Iran had already suffered major losses, including its naval capabilities, and said that U.S. strikes would continue with intensity and pace.
The country faces a potential power vacuum after the recent death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with speculation that his son Mojtaba Khamenei could be a contender for the next supreme leader. Analysts also say the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which dominates Iran’s military, political and economic spheres, could expand its influence if it weathers the current crisis.
On domestic policy, Trump expressed frustration that Congress has not moved the SAVE America Act, which would impose new voting requirements such as proof of citizenship. The bill remains stalled in the Senate. He said he is unhappy with the lack of progress and told aides he would support a government shutdown if the legislation does not reach his desk, calling it a core belief.
On the Texas Republican Senate primary, Trump did not endorse either Sen. John Cornyn or state Attorney General Ken Paxton. He noted Paxton’s support for the SAVE America Act and also praised Cornyn as a capable politician who defied expectations. Because no candidate won a majority in the primary, Cornyn and Paxton will face a runoff in May.