Overview
- President Trump said the operation that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei removed nearly all potential successors, creating what he described as a leadership vacuum.
- He framed the action as self‑defense, declaring, “I got him before he got me,” and cited reported Iranian attempts to assassinate him.
- Asked who might lead Iran next, Trump said those previously considered top contenders are now dead and would not be in the running.
- He told The New York Times he earlier had “three very good choices” in mind for Iran’s future leadership but declined to identify them.
- Trump also said the United States is prepared to continue military operations for four to five weeks if needed.