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Trump Rejects Khamenei’s Son, Demands Role in Iran Leadership Selection

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Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei and United States President Donald Trump
Mojtaba Khamenei and United States President Donald Trump

Trump Rejects Khamenei’s Son, Demands Role in Iran Leadership Selection

United States President Donald Trump has said Washington must be involved in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of longtime Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, a development that has deepened political uncertainty in Tehran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Trump made the remarks during an interview with Axios, where he dismissed the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Iranian leader, succeeding his father.

According to the US president, Mojtaba lacks the leadership strength required to lead the Islamic Republic and would not be acceptable to Washington.

“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy in Venezuela,” Trump said.

Trump was referring to Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed authority in Venezuela after US forces detained former President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.

The US president further stated that he would reject any successor who continues the policies of the late Iranian leader.

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“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” he added.

Trump warned that installing a leader who follows the same path as the late supreme leader could bring the United States back into conflict with Iran within a few years.

Iran is currently facing a leadership vacuum following the death of Ali Khamenei, who had ruled the country as Supreme Leader since 1989. The supreme leader is Iran’s highest political and religious authority, exercising broad control over the military, judiciary and major state institutions.

Traditionally, the selection of a new leader is carried out by Iran’s Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body responsible for appointing and overseeing the supreme leader. However, the ongoing regional conflict and internal political tensions have complicated the succession process, with several names reportedly being considered.

Among those widely mentioned as possible successors are Mojtaba Khamenei, cleric Sadegh Larijani, former Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, and Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Iran’s revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

The leadership crisis emerged after Khamenei was reportedly killed during coordinated airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel in late February. The strikes targeted several Iranian military and strategic facilities in Tehran and other locations, forming part of a broader military campaign launched amid concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional activities.

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli and US-linked targets across the Middle East, raising fears of a wider regional war. The escalating confrontation has also disrupted global energy markets, particularly after threats to shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical channel for global oil exports.

Despite Trump’s remarks about influencing Iran’s leadership transition, the White House has maintained that regime change is not the primary objective of current US military operations in the region. American officials say the immediate goal remains weakening Iran’s military capabilities and limiting its missile programme.

Nevertheless, Trump’s comments suggesting a US role in choosing Iran’s next leader have sparked international debate over the future political direction of the Islamic Republic. Observers say the coming weeks will be crucial as Iran’s political and religious authorities determine who will succeed Ali Khamenei and steer the country through one of the most significant transitions in its modern history.

Trump Rejects Khamenei’s Son, Demands Role in Iran Leadership Selection

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Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran

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US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump

Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran

US President Donald Trump has ruled out extending the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran beyond its current deadline, warning that failure in ongoing negotiations could lead to renewed military confrontation.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Trump said he was not in favour of prolonging the truce, stressing that both sides must move quickly to reach a binding agreement.

“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” he said, indicating that the situation remains time-sensitive as diplomatic talks continue under pressure.

The ceasefire, which is expected to expire on Wednesday evening, has temporarily eased tensions between Washington and Tehran, allowing both sides to regroup following weeks of heightened conflict and military escalation concerns.

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Trump noted that both countries had used the pause to “restock,” describing the truce as fragile and warning that it could collapse if negotiations fail to produce results.

He further suggested that the breakdown of talks could trigger a return to military operations, stating that he “expects bombing” to resume if diplomacy fails. According to him, the U.S. military remains fully prepared for any required action.

“I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” he said, defending a strong negotiating posture.

The president also reiterated earlier warnings about targeting Iranian infrastructure, including strategic facilities such as transport routes and power installations, arguing that such measures would weaken Iran’s military logistics and operational capacity.

Despite his hardline position, Trump acknowledged that Iran’s population is “incredible,” while describing its leadership as resistant to compromise. He insisted that a negotiated deal could still allow Iran to “become a strong nation again” if it agrees to terms acceptable to Washington.

The comments come as senior U.S. officials prepare for further diplomatic engagements, with Vice President JD Vance expected to participate in upcoming discussions aimed at extending the ceasefire and reducing tensions in the region.

Trump also criticised Iran’s internal handling of unrest, referencing reports of violent crackdowns on protests, which he said further complicate efforts toward lasting peace.

The latest remarks highlight continued uncertainty surrounding the U.S.–Iran ceasefire negotiations, with global observers closely watching whether diplomacy or renewed conflict will define the next phase of relations between both countries.

Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran

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Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US

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Jose Luis Rodriguez and the victims
Jose Luis Rodriguez and the victims

Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US

A man in the United States has been sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison after pleading guilty to the brutal killing of a couple and their 1-year-old son in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The convict, identified as Jose Luis Rodriguez, admitted to three counts of first-degree murder, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said the case began on September 13, 2025, when 31-year-old Junior Cabrera-Colon was found shot dead. Days later, authorities discovered that his wife, Geraldina Peguero-Mancebo, and their infant son, Jeyden Peguero, were missing, triggering a wider investigation.

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A week after the discovery of Cabrera-Colon’s body, police located the bodies of the missing mother and child in a wooded area. Prosecutors revealed that the toddler was found “partially submerged in a marshy area,” a detail that shocked investigators and the local community.

During court proceedings, prosecutors said Rodriguez confessed to killing all three victims. He allegedly picked up Peguero-Mancebo and her son, shot the woman, drowned the child, and later killed Cabrera-Colon.

The prosecution described the killings as premeditated and deliberate, stating that each act was carried out with intent and malice.

According to court records and reports by local media, Rodriguez claimed he had a personal relationship with Peguero-Mancebo and referenced financial disputes as a possible motive behind the killings.

The sentencing judge handed down three consecutive life sentences without parole, effectively ensuring Rodriguez will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Family members of the victims described the outcome as painful but necessary for closure, with relatives expressing gratitude that the case has reached a conclusion after months of emotional distress.

The case has drawn widespread attention in Pennsylvania due to its violent nature and the involvement of a young child, with prosecutors calling it one of the most disturbing family-related homicide cases in the region in recent years.

Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US

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US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles

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American singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke
American singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke

US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles

American singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, has been charged in connection with the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, in a case that prosecutors have described as one of the most serious and disturbing in recent years.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, confirmed that the 21-year-old faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and mutilation of human remains.

According to investigators, the teenager was last seen on April 23, 2025, after visiting Burke at his residence in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. She was reported missing shortly after she failed to return home.

Months later, on September 8, 2025, authorities made a gruesome discovery when her decomposed and dismembered remains were found inside the front trunk of a Tesla vehicle linked to the singer. Police reportedly traced the vehicle after receiving complaints about a strong odour, leading to the recovery of body parts stored in a cadaver bag.

Prosecutors say the case includes several special circumstance allegations, such as murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait. They also allege that Burke used a sharp instrument to carry out the killing.

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“This is a parent’s nightmare,” Hochman said during a press briefing, describing the case as “brutal and horrific.” He added that the charges represent the most severe offences his office can prosecute.

Jim McDonnell, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, stated that authorities remain committed to ensuring justice for the victim and her family.

Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026, and is currently being held without bail. He is expected to be arraigned at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

If convicted, he faces either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole, although prosecutors have yet to decide whether capital punishment will be pursued.

The singer’s legal team, led by Blair Berk, alongside Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, has denied all allegations. In a statement, they said evidence will show that Burke “did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and was not the cause of her death.”

The case has already had major consequences for Burke’s career. He cancelled his planned “D4VD Withered” world tour and was dropped from brand partnerships with Hollister Co. and Crocs.

D4vd rose to prominence in 2022 with his hit Here With Me and later released Romantic Homicide, a track whose title he previously described as metaphorical rather than literal.

The case remains ongoing, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles

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