In a provocative statement that escalates tensions with Tehran, former U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader would not remain in power without his personal approval. The remarks came during a televised interview with ABC News on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Trump asserted unprecedented influence over Iran’s internal governance, stating, “He’s going to have to get approval from us. If he doesn’t get approval from us he’s not going to last long.” The comments represent a significant escalation in rhetoric following recent military actions against Iran.
The context for these statements stems from the February 28 joint U.S.-Israeli offensive that targeted Tehran and several other Iranian cities. The attacks resulted in the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with dozens of senior officials, military commanders, and hundreds of civilians.
Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency confirmed on Sunday that the Assembly of Experts had finalized their decision regarding the succession. Trump previously indicated that he expected to be personally involved in the selection process of Iran’s next leader.
The former president justified his position by expressing concerns about nuclear proliferation, stating, “I don’t want people to have to go back in five years and have to do the same thing again or worse let them have a nuclear weapon.”
The medical community in Tehran has been visibly affected by the recent hostilities, with healthcare workers rallying in front of a hospital damaged during the strikes, as documented in photographic evidence from March 7.