U.S. President Donald Trump told Axios in an interview that he needs to be “personally involved” in choosing who will lead Iran next, following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Trump said Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son who is seen as a possible successor, is “unacceptable” to him. He stressed that the next Iranian leader should bring “harmony and peace” to the nation.

In the interview, Trump compared the situation to Venezuela, saying he had influence in leadership decisions there and wants a similar role in Iran’s transition.

Also Read: Mojtaba Khamenei elected as Iran’s new Supreme Leader?

Mojtaba Khamenei is a mid-ranking cleric with strong ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and influence among clerical circles. He has survived recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that killed his father in Iran.

Iran has not yet officially announced its new supreme leader. Iran’s Assembly of Experts, a clerical body, is responsible for selecting the next leader, but the process has not been concluded.

Trump said he refuses to accept a future leader who would continue hardline policies against the United States and predicted that could lead to renewed conflict in a few years.

The president’s comments add to rising international attention on Iran’s leadership succession and regional stability.