US President Donald Trump stated that the United States must participate in choosing the next leader of Iran, significantly expanding Washington's declared military objectives in the conflict. In an interview with international media, Trump revealed he does not believe that the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini will be his successor. "Together with Iran, we will have to choose that person," Trump said.

Trump also encouraged Iranian Kurdish forces based in Iraq to launch offensive operations against Iranian security forces. He drew parallels with Venezuela, where US-backed forces removed President Nicolas Maduro in January, suggesting a similar framework could be applied in Iran.

On the military front, Israel conducted powerful morning strikes on Tehran and Beirut. Iran retaliated with unmanned aerial vehicles and missile attacks, while the US Central Command requested additional personnel for operations that, by some estimates, could last more than 100 days.

The conflict has so far claimed more than one thousand lives, including at least six American military personnel. Trump expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open for international shipping. On the oil price increases caused by the conflict, he said: "They will fall very fast when this is over."

The international community observed Trump's statements regarding direct interference in Iranian state leadership matters with concern, as they represent a sharp departure from traditional diplomatic norms and signal even deeper American involvement in the regional conflict.