\n<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump said on Friday that he won\u2019t require Iran\u2019s next leader to be committed to democratic rule, adding that he\u2019s more concerned about the future ruler committing to peace and stability in the region.<\/p>\n
Trump, who said on Thursday that he wants to be involved in the process of choosing Iran\u2019s next leader, told<\/a> CNN host Dana Bash that he\u2019s optimistic about the country\u2019s future leadership. The president said he believes the leader should be \u201cfair and just,\u201d adding that he\u2019s open to the Middle East country putting a \u201creligious\u201d leader in power.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, it depends on who the person is. I don\u2019t mind religious leaders. I deal with a lot of religious leaders and they are fantastic,\u201d Trump told Bash.<\/p>\n He then laid out what he would expect of Iran\u2019s next leader.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m saying there has to be a leader that\u2019s going to be fair and just, do a great job, treat the United States and Israel well, and treat the other countries in the Middle East \u2014 they\u2019re all our partners,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Trump touted his relationship with countries in the Middle East, saying that his relationship with most of them has flourished.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I became very friendly with all those countries. That\u2019s why they\u2019re all fighting for us,\u201d he said. \u201cBefore I got involved, we didn\u2019t even speak to UAE and Saudi Arabia. You know, (President Joe) Biden shut [them] out. Biden and (President Barack) Obama shut Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, he shut them all out. They were all going to go to China, and I got involved in a very short period of time that became my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n The joint U.S.-Israeli military operation launched last weekend has taken out most of Iran\u2019s top leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. U.S. forces have also decimated the regime\u2019s navy, military assets, and nuclear infrastructure. The Trump administration has been careful about how much information it releases on its plans for \u201cOperation Epic Fury\u201d and whether U.S. forces would be used to push for regime change.<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s comments on Thursday were the clearest hint yet that the United States could have a major role in setting up Iran\u2019s next government. After the remaining Iranian leaders reportedly selected Khamenei\u2019s son, Mojtaba, to take over, Trump told<\/a> Axios that the appointment was \u201cunacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,\u201d Trump said. \u201cThey are wasting their time. Khamenei\u2019s son is a lightweight.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump added that any Iranian leader who would just continue the policies of the now crumbling regime would force the United States back into a war in \u201cfive years.\u201d Radical Muslim leaders, including Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reportedly lobbied for Mojtaba to get the appointment.<\/p>\n Trump has expressed support for the Iranians who took to the streets in recent months to protest the regime. After announcing \u201cOperation Epic Fury\u201d last Saturday, Trump urged Iranians to take control of their authoritarian government once the dust settles after America\u2019s major military operation.<\/p>\n \u201cTo the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand,\u201d he said. \u201cStay sheltered. Don\u2019t leave your home. It\u2019s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n