President Trump expressed confidence in achieving diplomatic progress with Iran following the targeted killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in strikes conducted on Saturday.
In a conversation with CBS News’ Robert Costa, Trump remarked that reaching an agreement with Iran “will be much easier now than it was a day ago, obviously, because they are getting beat up badly.”
Trump also claimed to be aware of who has assumed control in Iran after the Ayatollah’s death, a figure who wielded immense influence over the nation’s political and public affairs.
“I know exactly who, but I can’t tell you,” he stated, keeping specific details under wraps.
He assured that there are “good candidates” poised to take on leadership roles in the country, which is home to over 91 million people.
The president also commented on the repercussions of Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, noting, “it’s what we expected.”
However, he suggested the retaliation was far less extensive than what US military planners had projected.
“Less than we thought, actually. We thought it’d be double,” he said.
He also said he’s willing to work with Congress on authorization for military action in Iran — but declined to call the strikes a “war,” according to CBS.
“I always want to work with Congress. Always. I’ve always worked with Congress,” he said.
