Trump not concerned whether Iran's future leadership is democratic or secular

US President Donald Trump has indicated that he does not consider democracy or secularism to be essential criteria for Iran's future leadership, saying the key factor for him is that the new authorities remain loyal to the United States and Israel.

Source: CNN, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Trump said that "Iran is not the same country it was a week ago", adding that the country's leadership was powerful a week ago, but is now "indeed neutered".

The US president said he believes he should be involved in determining the country's new leader and drew parallels with Venezuela.

"It's gonna work very easily. It's going to work like [it] did in Venezuela. We have a wonderful leader there. She's doing a fantastic job," Trump said, referring to Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who took the position of Nicolás Maduro after he was captured by the US.

"It depends on who the person is. I don't mind religious leaders. I deal with a lot of religious leaders and they are fantastic," the US president noted.

When asked whether it was important to him that Iran transform into a democratic country, he replied: "No, I'm saying there has to be a leader that's going to be fair and just. Do a great job. Treat the United States and Israel well, and treat the other countries in the Middle East – they're all our partners."

Background:

• Trump has also demanded Iran's unconditional surrender.
• He also said that military actions against Iran could last up to four weeks.
• Saturday 7 March will mark exactly one week since the start of the joint US and Israeli military operation against Iran, during which many other countries in the region – from neighbours in the Persian Gulf to Azerbaijan – have come under Iranian strikes.

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