Alireza Arafi has been appointed as the jurist member of Iran’s temporary Leadership Council, the body tasked with carrying out the responsibilities of the Supreme Leader under the constitution until a new leader is elected, according to the Iranian state news agency ISNA and international reports.
The appointment comes as Iran begins a constitutional transition after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic since 1989 and was killed in a joint US–Israeli airstrike on Saturday.
Under Iran’s Constitution, when the position of the Supreme Leader is vacant, a three-member Leadership Council assumes the duties of the office until the 88-member Assembly of Experts elects a permanent successor.
As part of this interim council, Arafi — a cleric and member of the powerful Guardian Council — will serve alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.
Iran has entered a period of official mourning following Khamenei’s death, and political leaders are now implementing constitutional procedures to ensure continuity of governance while the Assembly of Experts prepares to select the next Supreme Leader.
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