Donald Trump said he wants to see a change in Iran’s leadership structure and claimed he already has several “good candidates” in mind who could potentially lead the country in the future.
In a telephone interview with NBC News on Thursday, Trump said the United States wants to “clean things up” in Iran and does not want someone in power who would slowly rebuild the current structure over the next decade.
Trump claimed that he has several potential individuals in mind for Iran’s future leadership, though he declined to reveal their identities. He added that he is also monitoring the situation to ensure those individuals remain safe amid the ongoing conflict.
“Yes, we are watching them,” Trump said.
Earlier last Saturday, Trump made similar remarks in another interview with NBC News. When asked who could lead Iran in the future, he said he was not certain but joked that Iranian officials might eventually call him to ask for his preferred candidate. He added that the comment was made “partly in jest.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Iran is prepared if the United States and Israel launch a ground attack.
Responding to that statement, Trump called the remark “nonsense” and said he is not considering a ground invasion of Iran. He claimed Iran has already lost most of its capabilities, including its navy.
At the same time, Trump warned that the speed and intensity of attacks would continue.
