Trump Reportedly Threatens to Eliminate Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei; China Responds Firmly

US President Donald Trump has indicated openness to the option of eliminating Iran’s newly selected Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, according to a Wall Street Journal report published on Monday, 9 March 2025. Trump stated he would pursue this option if Mojtaba refused to comply with Washington’s demands.

The remarks were made privately by Trump to his assistants, according to the newspaper. Citing active and former US officials, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump’s demands include the dissolution of Iran’s nuclear programme. The White House declined to comment on the matter.

The report emerged following Trump’s public statement describing Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Supreme Leader as “a terrible mistake” and expressing doubts about the longevity of Khamenei’s leadership. In statements to The New York Post, the US President also admitted his displeasure with the outcome of Iran’s new leadership selection.

Mojtaba Khamenei, aged 56, was appointed as Iran’s new Supreme Leader to replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in the first combined US-Israeli assault on Iran on 28 February. Ali Khamenei had led Iran for 37 years until his death.

China’s government has stated that the election of Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is in accordance with the country’s constitution. “The selection of the new leader is a decision made by Iran in accordance with its own constitution,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun at a press conference in Beijing on Monday, 9 March 2025.