Trump wants say on Iran s next leader as war intensifies

U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that he should have a say in selecting Iran's next leader as the conflict escalated on Thursday. U.S. and Israeli aircraft struck various locations in Iran, while Gulf cities faced renewed attacks. In an interview with Reuters, Trump expressed skepticism about Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, being a suitable choice. “We want to take part in deciding who will lead Iran in the future,” he stated. Additionally, Trump urged Iranian Kurdish forces to take action. “I’d support that,” he remarked. His administration has been in touch with Iranian Kurdish groups since the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes began, but he did not confirm if the U.S. would provide air support for any Kurdish offensive. This military action poses a significant risk for the Republican president, as polls indicate limited public backing, with many Americans worried about rising gasoline prices due to disrupted energy supplies. Trump downplayed those concerns. On the sixth day of the war, Iran responded with a series of strikes on Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. In Bahrain, firefighters managed to control a fire at a refinery after a missile hit it. Security sources reported two drone strikes targeting an Iranian opposition camp in Iraqi Kurdistan and an oil field run by an American company.