BREAKING: Trump says he has ‘to be involved in the appointment’ of Iran’s next leader

"They are wasting their time. Khamenei's son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela," Trump told Axios. Iran's leaders have been meeting virtually in an attempt to choose who will run the country as the US and Israeli bombardment continues. Khamenei's 54-year-old son is reportedly the top contender for the position. There were also some reports that he was killed.

The Trump administration launched an operation against the Maduro regime in Venezuela. They removed him and his wife from power and took them to New York City, where they are now facing charges. Maduro's second-in-command, Delcy Rodriguez, has been running the country since his departure.

"Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran," Trump later added in his comments to reporters.

When the president was asked on Tuesday who could replace Khamenei, he said, "Most of the people we had in mind are dead."

The case of Venezuela has been quite different than the approach to Iran with the longer military operation that has taken place in the Arab nation. Trump also compared the two during his discussion with Axios.

Trump called Venezuela "our new friend and partner" during his State of the Union address. At the time, he said that the US had received over 80 million barrels of oil since Maduro was captured.

After Interior Secretary Doug Burgum visited Caracas this week, the president also said that the "oil is beginning to flow."