US President Donald Trump said Iran’s next supreme leader “is not going to last long” if Tehran appoints a successor to slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei without approval from Washington, ABC News reported on March 8.

Khamenei was killed in an air strike, according to the report, prompting Iran’s clerical leadership to begin the process of selecting a successor.

“He’s going to have to get approval from us,” Trump told ABC News. “If he doesn’t get approval from us he’s not going to last long.”

Trump’s remarks came as Iran’s clerical body responsible for choosing the next supreme leader was reported to have already voted and was preparing to announce the successor.

The body, which is tasked with selecting Iran’s supreme leader, convenes following the death of the incumbent to determine the next holder of the country’s highest political and religious authority.

Iran’s supreme leader holds ultimate authority over the armed forces, judiciary and major state institutions and plays a central role in shaping the country’s domestic and foreign policy.

The reported vote follows the death of Khamenei in an air strike, which has triggered uncertainty over Iran’s political leadership and succession process.

Trump did not provide further details about how the United States would influence the leadership selection in Tehran.

Iranian authorities had not publicly announced the name of the successor at the time of the report.