'Iran Leadership Neutered’: Trump Looks For New Leader That Treats US And Israel Well

Last Updated:March 07, 2026, 07:26 IST

Trump also indicated that he would be open to the possibility of a religious leader in Iran.

President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran’s leadership has been “neutered," adding that he is seeking new leadership in the country that would treat the United States and Israel well, even if that leader is religious and the system is not democratic.

“Iran is not the same country it was a week ago. A week ago they were powerful, and now they’ve been indeed neutered," he told CNN in a phone interview.

During the conversation, he also said Cuba would fall “pretty soon" and stressed the significance of voter ID legislation, suggesting it could influence his endorsement in the Texas Senate race.

“Cuba is gonna fall pretty soon, by the way, unrelated, but Cuba is gonna fall too. They want to make a deal so badly," he said.

Trump also said he believes selecting a new leader in Iran would be straightforward, a process he has indicated he would play a role in, and again likened the situation to Venezuela, where the United States captured Nicolás Maduro earlier this year and installed his deputy as leader.

“It’s gonna work very easily. It’s going to work like did in Venezuela. We have a wonderful leader there. She’s doing a fantastic job. And it’s going to work Iike in Venezuela," he said, referring to acting president Delcy Rodriguez.

Trump also indicated that he would be open to the possibility of a religious leader in Iran. “Well I may be yeah, I mean, 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," he said.

When asked whether he believes Iran must become a democratic state, Trump told CNN, “No, I’m saying there has to be a leader that’s going 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."

He further praised the United States’ ties with countries in the West Asia, saying they are “fighting for us."

While praising the US operation against Iran — calling it a “12, maybe 15 on the scale of 10" — the president indicated he was not concerned about a possible rise in gas prices.

“That’s all right. It’ll be short term time. It’ll go way down very quickly," he said, dismissing claims that prices have surged significantly and adding that he has “already figured out" the Strait of Hormuz.

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