Trump "disappointed" in Iran's pick for supreme leader, says he likes "idea of internal" candidate

CBS News
March 9, 2026
2 min read

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President Trump expressed disappointment in Iran's selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader.

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President Donald Trump expressed "disappointment" regarding Iran's selection of Mojtaba Khamenei, the former supreme leader's son, as its new leader during a Monday news conference. Trump stated he preferred "the idea of an internal" candidate for the position. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion and former CIA deputy assistant director Joe Zacks provided analysis following the announcement. This development signals President Trump's direct engagement with Iran's leadership transition and could influence future diplomatic relations.

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