{"id":2574833,"date":"2026-02-28T23:01:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T04:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-teases-good-candidates-to-lead-iran-after-khameneis-death\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T23:03:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T04:03:01","slug":"trump-teases-good-candidates-to-lead-iran-after-khameneis-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-teases-good-candidates-to-lead-iran-after-khameneis-death\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump teases &#8216;good candidates&#8217; to lead Iran after Khamenei&#8217;s death"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-teases-good-candidates-to-lead-iran-after-khameneis-death%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2574833&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A washington Examiner article reports that Donald Trump teased the possibility of \u201cgood candidates\u201d to lead Iran after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, saying he knows who is running but declined to name anyone. The piece places this amid ongoing U.S.-israel strikes and notes Khamenei\u2019s killing as a factor throwing the regime into disarray as it seeks a successor.<\/p>\n<p>With no clear successor yet, the article mentions former crown prince Reza Pahlavi as leading the opposition and previously stating he would lead any transition government, though Trump has not endorsed him. It describes the immediate handover scenario in Iran: a three<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/secretary-of-state-antony-blinken-vows-to-recommit-u-s-to-u-n-human-rights-council-which-still-includes-china-and-cuba\/\" title=\"Secretary of State Antony Blinken Vows To Recommit U.S. To U.N. Human Rights Council, Which Still ... China And Cuba\">-member council<\/a>\u2014President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chief Justice Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi, and one Islamic cleric\u2014would assume power, after which Iran\u2019s Assembly of Experts would elect a new <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >supreme leader<\/a>. The piece also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-live-trump-holds-white-house-breakfast-for-governors\/\" title=\"WATCH LIVE: ... holds White House breakfast for governors\">references related stories<\/a> and includes a link to a full trump address on Iran.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump teases &lsquo;good candidates&rsquo; to lead Iran after Khamenei&rsquo;s death<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2519086\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\" type=\"link\" id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\">Donald Trump<\/a> revealed that he has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-far-left-pramila-jayapal-eyes-leadership-position-as-democrats-uncertain-about-midterms\/\" title=\"Report: Far-Left Pramila Jayapal Eyes Leadership Position as Democrats Uncertain About Midterms\">potential leader<\/a> in mind for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\" type=\"link\" id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\">Iran<\/a> after strikes killed Supreme Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Ali-Khamenei\" type=\"link\" id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Ali-Khamenei\">Ali Khamenei<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Khamenei was killed on Saturday after Israel struck his compound, ending his 36-year reign and leaving the regime in disarray as it moves to appoint a successor as joint U.S. and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\" type=\"link\" id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\">Israeli<\/a> strikes continue.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4475844\/netanyahu-touts-growing-signs-iran-strikes-killed-the-ayatollah\/\">Trump says Khamenei is dead: &lsquo;The single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4475929\/iran-conflict-calls-reopen-dhs-cannot-afford-delays\/\">Threat of Iranian retaliation puts pressure on Democrats to reopen DHS<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4475762\/secret-service-enhance-dc-security-iran-strike\/\">Secret Service enhances DC security posture after Iran strikes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>With that decision expected to be made soon, Trump was asked in an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/trump-diplomatic-solution-in-iran-remains-possible-and-much-easier-now\/\">interview<\/a> late Saturday if he has a preference over whoever the Islamic Republic chooses.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Yes, I think so,&rdquo; Trump responded. &ldquo;There are some good candidates.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He also said he knows &ldquo;exactly&rdquo; who is running Iran after Khamenei&rsquo;s death, but declined to divulge who that is.<\/p>\n<p>Trump&rsquo;s comments come as he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu floated regime change as the first strikes began overnight.<\/p>\n<p>While no candidate has emerged over the past day, former crown prince Reza Pahlavi has been leading the opposition and has previously stated he would lead any transition government.<\/p>\n<p>Trump, however, has been noticeably hesitant about endorsing Pahlavi, whose family ruled Iran before the 1979 revolution, and it is unclear if a transition to democracy is possible for Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Pahlavi himself <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PahlaviReza\/status\/2027870683339035003\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PahlaviReza\/status\/2027870683339035003\">suggested<\/a> in the wake of Khamenei&rsquo;s death that the Islamic Republic was over. He said it will &ldquo;very soon be consigned to the dustbin of history&rdquo; and predicted any successor to the former ayatollah is &ldquo;doomed to fail.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4475390\/read-in-full-trump-address-iran-operation\/\">READ IN FULL: TRUMP ADDRESS ON IRAN OPERATION<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For now, a three-member council will assume power in Tehran. That includes Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was also targeted by Israel but survived, Chief Justice Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi, and one Islamic cleric.<\/p>\n<p>Iran&rsquo;s Assembly of Experts, which is composed of 88 elected Islamic clerics, will then meet to elect a new supreme leader.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump hints good candidates to lead Iran post-Khamenei<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3359,"featured_media":2574834,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/trump-iran-good-candidates.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3823,36807,50402,3634],"class_list":["post-2574833","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-iran","tag-khamenei","tag-leadership-2","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/trump-iran-good-candidates.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574833","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3359"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2574833"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574833\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2574837,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574833\/revisions\/2574837"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2574834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2574833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2574833"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2574833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}