Trump Voices Concern Over Potential Rise of Hardline Leader in Iran After Khamenei's Death

US President Donald Trump voiced concern over the potential rise of another hardline leader in Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes, stressing the importance of a more moderate figure guiding the country. “The worst-case scenario for Iran would be if somebody takes over who’s as bad as the previous person," Trump said, adding, “That could happen. We don’t want that to happen. We’d like to see somebody in there, bring it back to the people, and we’ll see what happens." Trump indicated that the White House had considered multiple candidates for leadership but noted that some are now deceased. Read more: Could Reza Pahlavi Lead Iran? Trump Says ‘He’s A Very Nice Person But…’ “Pretty soon, we’re not going to know anybody," he added. He suggested that a leader from within Iran might be more suitable, saying, “If there’s such a person, but we have people like that. We have people … more moderate." Trump Rejects Israel-Forced Action Claims Addressing speculation over Israel’s role in prompting the US strikes, Trump rejected the notion that Israel had forced action. “They were going to attack if we didn’t do it, they were going to attack first," he said, asserting, “I felt strongly about that." He added, “If anything, I might have forced Israel’s hand, but Israel was ready and we were ready and we’ve had a very, very powerful impact because virtually everything they have has been knocked out. Now their missile count is going way down." Read more: Trump Open To Supporting Groups That Back Regime Change In Iran After Khamenei’s Death: Report Trump also commented on Iran’s retaliatory strikes against neighboring countries. “Amazingly, they’re hitting countries that were, you know, let’s call them neutral, right? They lived together for a long time. … I think they were surprised. I was surprised, and now those countries are all fighting against them and fighting strongly against them," he said. The US President criticized Tehran’s attacks on civilian areas, contrasting them with US strikes. “The level of evil that we’re dealing with- they’ll hit people that were actually at least somewhat friendly, and they had no problems with. Also hitting only civilian places, hotels and apartment buildings, and we’re hitting them where it is much more appropriate, we’re hitting them very hard," Trump said.