White House Says US Looking At Potential Candidates To Lead Iran

Press secretary says US intelligence agencies are reviewing options for new Iranian leadership after recent military campaign

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the United States is looking at potential candidates to lead Iran after President Donald Trump pushed Tehran to cease its resistance. Leavitt said the US wants to be involved in choosing Iran's next leader following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Trump ruled out Khamenei's son Mojtaba Khamenei as a successor, and suggested the only acceptable outcome would be "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER" and "the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE leader(s)".

Why it matters

The comments come as the US has been pushing Iranian leaders to renounce Tehran's development of nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The White House is signaling it wants to play a direct role in determining Iran's future leadership after a recent military campaign that has targeted the Iranian regime.

The details

Leavitt told reporters the US intelligence agencies and government are looking at potential candidates to lead Iran, but she did not provide any specifics. She said the US expects its achievable objectives in Iran to be completed in four to six weeks, and that the US is well on its way toward controlling Iranian airspace. The US military said it has struck over 3,000 Iranian targets, including Tehran's command-and-control centers, air defense systems, missile sites, ships, and submarines.

  • The military campaign against Iran began about a week ago.
  • The US expects its objectives in Iran to be completed in four to six weeks.

The players

Karoline Leavitt

White House press secretary.

Donald Trump

President of the United States.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Former Supreme Leader of Iran who was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

Mojtaba Khamenei

Son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who Trump ruled out as a potential successor.

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What they’re saying

“I know there are a number of people that our intelligence agencies and the United States government are looking at, but I won't go any further than that.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary (statenews.net)

“What the President means is that when he, as Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces, determines that Iran no longer poses a threat to the United States of America, and the goals of Operation Epic Fury has been fully realized, then Iran will essentially be in a place of unconditional surrender, whether they say it themselves or not.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary (statenews.net)

“Frankly, they don't have a lot of people to say that for them.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary (statenews.net)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The White House is signaling it wants to play a direct role in determining Iran's future leadership after a recent military campaign that has targeted the Iranian regime, raising questions about US intervention in the region and the potential for further escalation.