---
title: 'Trump Avoids Saying if Iran’s New Supreme Leader Is a Target'
url: 'https://thediplomaticinsight.com/trump-avoids-saying-irans-new-supreme-leader-target/'
author: 'News Desk'
date: '2026-03-10T11:57:41+05:00'
categories:
  - 'Middle East'
  - 'World'
---

# Trump Avoids Saying if Iran’s New Supreme Leader Is a Target

**Washington (TDI):** US President Donald Trump declined on Monday to clarify whether Iran’s newly selected supreme leader has become a potential target, though he expressed clear dissatisfaction with Tehran’s decision.

Speaking at a press briefing in Doral, Florida, Trump was asked directly if Iran’s new leader was now “a target.” He responded cautiously, referring to him as “the son,” and added that he was disappointed with the choice made by Iran’s leadership. When pressed further, Trump avoided giving a direct answer, saying he preferred not to comment on any possible targeting decisions.

Iran’s powerful Assembly of Experts confirmed the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in a joint U.S.–Israeli strike. The move keeps leadership within the same clerical network and signals that Iran’s current hard-line policies are likely to continue despite the ongoing confrontation with Washington and Tel Aviv.

Although Trump refrained from issuing a direct threat, his refusal to rule out the possibility left room for interpretation at a time when tensions remain extremely high.

**Read More: [Iran Says Oil Blockade Will Continue if US-Israel Attacks Persist](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/iran-says-oil-blockade-will-continue/)**

Earlier in the day, Trump told House Republicans that the United States had already achieved significant progress in the conflict but insisted the campaign would continue until the enemy was “completely and decisively defeated.”

At the same time, he warned against repeating mistakes made after the Iraq War. Trump said dismantling state structures in Iraq had created chaos and eventually contributed to the rise of extremist groups.

When asked who he would prefer to see lead Iran, the president indicated he would rather see change come from within the country rather than through externally imposed regime change. He cited developments in Venezuela as an example of internal political shifts.

**Read More: [Oil Surges 25%, Gold Slides as Iran War Rocks Global Markets](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/oil-surges-25-gold-slides-iran-war-rocks-markets/)**

Trump also hinted that the conflict might be approaching a decisive stage, saying US forces had made “major strides” and that the operation could soon be largely complete. He claimed that two levels of Iranian leadership had already been eliminated, though he did not provide details.

According to the president, US forces have hit more than 5,000 targets since the war began, while deliberately leaving some key targets untouched in case further action becomes necessary.