President Trump has declared that recent Israeli strikes targeting Iran’s leadership have significantly thinned the ranks of potential successors to the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The US President asserted that these actions have likely eliminated candidates the United States had considered for leadership roles in Iran, while simultaneously refuting claims that Israel acted independently, forcing his hand in the initial military operations.
Adding to the escalating international tensions, Trump also directed criticism towards British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the use of UK military bases. He remarked, “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with,” drawing a stark contrast between Starmer and the iconic wartime leader.
Reports indicate that Israeli forces specifically targeted a building where a significant number of prominent Shia clerics were slated to convene to elect a new supreme leader. While the exact purpose of the building and the extent of any casualties remain unclear, an Israeli official informed the US news outlet Axios that the strike was strategically timed to coincide with the vote counting process. “We wanted to prevent them from picking a new supreme leader,” the official stated.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed on X that a compound housing the Iranian regime’s “most senior forum” had been hit in Tehran. The IDF declared, “The leaders behind this terror regime, and the headquarters in which they sat, have been eliminated.”
Speaking at the White House for the first time since the commencement of “Operation Epic Fury” several days prior, President Trump elaborated on the impact of the strikes. He stated that multiple groups of potential candidates to succeed the recently deceased Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had been eliminated.
“Most of the people that we had in mind are dead,” Trump commented. “We had some in mind from that group that is dead. Now we have another group, they may be dead also, based on reports. So, I guess you have a third wave coming in. Pretty soon, we’re not going to know anybody.”
Trump expressed his concern that the most undesirable outcome would be the installation of a new leader who, within five years, proves to be no more effective or benevolent than the previous regime. He once again downplayed the prospect of supporting Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former Shah, who resides in Washington, has actively encouraged anti-regime protests, and has voiced his readiness to lead.
“It would seem to me that somebody from within maybe would be more appropriate,” Trump suggested. “He [Pahlavi] looks like a very nice person, but it would seem to me that somebody that’s there, that’s currently popular if there’s such a person [would be better]. We have people like that, we have people that were more moderate. We’ll see what happens, but first we have to finish off the military.”
In a significant move to bolster regional stability and economic interests, Trump announced that he was directing the US Development Finance Corporation to provide complimentary political risk insurance and financial security guarantees for all shipping, with a particular emphasis on energy transport, in the Gulf region. He further declared that the US Navy would escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, if necessary, to ensure the unimpeded flow of energy resources. “No matter what, the United States will ensure the FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD,” Trump posted on social media.
Iran’s Decimation and Shifting Timelines
President Trump asserted that Iran had been “decimated,” but offered no definitive timeline for the duration of the joint US-Israeli military campaign. Previous estimates from the President had varied widely, ranging from two to six weeks, and he had also remarked in a social media post that US munitions stockpiles were sufficient to sustain wars “forever.”
Conflicting signals have emerged regarding the impetus behind the timing of the strikes, which occurred amidst ongoing, Oman-mediated negotiations between the US and Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated on Monday that there had been an “imminent threat” to the United States, stemming from Israel’s impending attack on Iran, which Tehran was expected to retaliate against by targeting US bases and assets.
However, Trump refuted the notion that Israel had compelled him to initiate the conflict.
“No, I might have forced their hand,” he stated. “We were having negotiations with these lunatics [Iran], and it was my opinion that they were going to attack first. Based on the way the negotiation was going, I think they were going to attack first. I didn’t want that to happen. So if anything, I might have forced Israel’s hand.”
A senior Trump administration official, speaking anonymously to reporters, revealed that following a third meeting with Iranian officials facilitated by Oman, it became evident that “they weren’t willing to make the kind of deal that President Trump would have been satisfied with.” The official conveyed that while a deal on nuclear enrichment might have been achievable, it would have required months, and the Iranians appeared to be employing delaying tactics. “It’s going to take a lot for us to get there,” the official recounted telling the president. “They’re basically playing games with us all over the place.”
Allies Under Scrutiny: Starmer and Spain
As the military operation entered its fourth day, President Trump shifted his focus to allies perceived as insufficiently supportive of the strikes, particularly Spain and Britain, both of whom had initially denied the US access to their military bases.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer eventually relented, permitting the use of bases for “defensive” purposes. However, he publicly expressed concerns that the US campaign might contravene international law. This included a base on the island of Diego Garcia, which Starmer had intended to lease to Mauritius.
“We were very surprised. This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with,” Trump remarked, referencing the renowned British wartime leader. “It’s taken three, four days to work out whether we can land there. It would have been much more convenient landing there, as opposed to flying many extra hours.”
Trump continued his criticism of Starmer, stating, “The UK has been very, very un-cooperative with that stupid island that they have, that they gave away. But this is not the age of Churchill… they ruin relationships, it’s a shame.”
The US President also described Spain as having been “terrible” and “unfriendly,” announcing that he was instructing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to sever all US trade with the European nation. Trump further suggested the possibility of using Spanish military bases without their explicit permission. “We could use their base if we want; we could just fly in and use it. Nobody’s going to tell us not to use it.”
These remarks were made during a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Vice President JD Vance also in attendance in the Oval Office.
