President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States is not close to deploying troops into Iran to secure nuclear material at the enrichment facility in Isfahan, while also declining to reveal how he plans to deal with Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

Speaking to The New York Post, Trump dismissed reports suggesting that Washington is preparing to send American forces to the underground nuclear site near the historic city of Isfahan.

“We haven’t made any decision on that. We’re nowhere near it,” Trump said of reported discussions about a US deployment to Iran’s underground enrichment facility near the ancient Persian capital.

Trump also reacted to the elevation of Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, who assumed leadership of Iran’s Islamic regime over the weekend following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei. The president made clear that he is dissatisfied with the development but avoided outlining any specific response.

“Not going to tell you,” Trump said about his plans for the younger Khamenei. “Not going to tell you. I’m not happy with him.”

Trump made the remarks during a phone interview from Trump National Golf Club in Doral, Florida, where he also attempted to temper speculation that the United States might soon launch a ground operation targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. His comments echoed what he told reporters Saturday aboard Air Force One, when he said that “we haven’t talked about” sending troops to Isfahan.

Nevertheless, several media outlets reported that the possibility of such a mission has been discussed among officials.

Trump’s guarded tone regarding Mojtaba Khamenei comes after stronger warnings he issued prior to the leadership transition in Tehran.

Shortly before the younger Khamenei was formally selected to succeed his father, Trump said during an interview with ABC News that the new Iranian leader would face consequences if he took power without American approval, saying he was “not going to last long” if “he doesn’t get approval from us.”

Trump also said in an interview last week that “Khamenei’s son is a lightweight” and “I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela.”

{Matzav.com}