HIGHPOLITICAL
Trump: 'Not happy' with Mojtaba appointment — implies targeting plans
·Doral, Florida, USA
US President Trump tells NY Post from Doral golf club he is 'not happy' with Mojtaba Khamenei being named supreme leader. When asked about plans: 'Not going to tell you. I'm not happy with him.' Clear implication of potential targeting.
US President Donald Trump told the New York Post, speaking from his Doral golf club near Miami, that he is 'not happy' with the appointment of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's new supreme leader. When pressed by the Post on his plans for the younger Khamenei, Trump replied: 'Not going to tell you. I'm not happy with him.' The deliberately opaque answer — combined with the framing 'not going to tell you' — is widely read as a signal that the US and/or Israel is considering targeting Mojtaba. Russia and China have both explicitly warned against targeting Mojtaba, with Russia pledging 'unwavering support' and China's FM stating it 'opposes targeting' him. Trump's comment therefore creates a direct public confrontation with both Moscow and Beijing on the question of the new supreme leader's physical safety. Trump has previously stated he wanted Khamenei Sr. removed — he is now being asked whether that extends to the son.
Actor responses
President Trump: 'Not going to tell you. I'm not happy with him.' Trump declining to rule out action against Mojtaba Khamenei. US has previously stated Mojtaba is a legitimate military target as IRGC supreme commander.
Iran: any threat against the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic constitutes a declaration of war against the entire nation. Russia and China have warned against targeting Mojtaba. The consequences would be catastrophic for all parties.
Sources