Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
John Bowden

Trump says Iran’s next leader may be ‘bad or worse than the ayatollah’

  • Donald Trump discussed Iran's future during a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House.
  • The president held his first extended Q&A after U.S. military strikes, conducted jointly with Israeli forces, confirmed the death of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
  • Speaking with reporters, questions quickly arose regarding potential U.S. involvement in an extended Middle East war and who would succeed the Iranian government.
  • Trump admitted that the strikes killed many senior officials who were considered potential successors to lead Iran.
  • He acknowledged a “worst-case” scenario where a new Iranian leader could hold even more fervent anti-U.S. views.

IN FULL

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.