Trump says he may have role in choosing Iran’s next leader as NATO highlights missile defence

March 5, 2026

RED FM News Desk

Donald Trump says he expects the United States could play a role in selecting the next leader of Iran following the assassination of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, last Saturday.

Speaking about the future of Iran’s leadership, Trump suggested Washington may influence who succeeds Khamenei. However, the mood inside Iran appears very different.

Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed Vall said many Iranians believe outside interference in their country’s leadership will not be accepted.

According to Vall, the general sentiment among people is that such interference “won’t happen again,” referencing the 1953 Iranian coup d’état that removed the democratically elected prime minister Mohammad Mossadegh from power.

Meanwhile, NATO says it remains prepared to defend member countries from potential attacks by Iran.

During a meeting in Brussels involving the alliance’s 32 member nations, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised military personnel for successfully detecting, tracking and intercepting an Iranian ballistic missile.

In a statement, NATO said the interception demonstrated the alliance’s ability to protect its populations from threats, including those posed by ballistic missiles.