Iran appoints Ayatollah Alireza Arafi to interim Leadership Council

2026-03-01 - 20:43

TEHRAN — Iranian authorities have appointed Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, a clerical member of the Guardian Council, to serve on the country’s interim Leadership Council, according to an official statement issued Sunday.Mohsen Dehnavi, spokesperson for the Expediency Discernment Council, said in a post on the social media platform X that the appointment was made in accordance with Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution.He explained that, until a new supreme leader is selected, a temporary Leadership Council is formed comprising the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the judiciary, and one clerical member of the Guardian Council.Dehnavi said the council chose Arafi as its clerical representative to ensure continuity of leadership while the Assembly of Experts moves to appoint a permanent successor “as soon as possible.”Iran on Sunday confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials in Israeli and US attacks on the country.