This post was republished with permission fromZero Hedge

Among the ongoing flurry of war headlines, one which just broke via Axios provides the world with a better picture as to the future trajectory of the US-Israeli ‘regime change’ operationin Iran:

PresidentTrumptold Axios in an interview Thursday that he needs to be personally involved in selecting Iran’s next leader —just as he was in Venezuela.

Trump acknowledged that Mojtaba Khamenei,son of assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei, is the most likely successor— while making clear hefinds that outcome unacceptable.

The Council of Experts have officially said they’ve postponed the announcement of the new supreme leader, but speculation abounds. Still, an announcement could be imminent.

For anyone that’s paid attention for the last 20+ years of America’s regime change wars in the Middle East and elsewhere, even if Washington leaders say “no boots on ground” all day long, they are still making “pledges” whichensures or ‘commits’ to a series of escalation steps leading to just that.

Trump said toAxios: “They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela.” He added: “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

And very alarming for the prospect of a long quagmire which could endure for years, just like the Iraq war:

He added that he refuses to accept a new Iranian leader who would continue Khamenei’s policies, which he saidwould force the U.S. back to war “in five years.”

Destruction ongoing inboth Tel Aviv and Tehran (below)…

Source: modernity