Tehran’s Power Reset: Ayatollah Arafi Appointed Following Supreme Leader’s Death

New Delhi: Senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been named to Iran’s three-person interim leadership council following the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to the Iranian state media.

According to official reports, Arafi has been appointed as a jurist member of the temporary council that will carry out the duties of the supreme leader until the Assembly of Experts chooses a successor.

The interim body will also include President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, with all three set to share leadership responsibilities during the transition period under Iran’s constitution.

State media described Arafi as a senior cleric and member of the Guardian Council, a powerful constitutional body, noting that his role is to help steer the nation through this uncertain phase until a permanent leader is elected.

Iran’s official news services reported his appointment on Sunday after the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, whose passing was confirmed by authorities following recent strikes by US and Israeli forces.

The 86-year-old ayatollah, who ruled Iran for more than 36 years and was one of the world’s longest-serving authoritarian leaders, was reportedly targeted in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran. According to U.S. officials, along with Khamenei, between five and ten top Iranian leaders were also killed in the same operation.

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