Iran’s state news agency ISNA reported Sunday that Alireza Arafi was appointed as the jurist member of the country’s three-member leadership council charged with temporarily fulfilling the duties of the supreme leader until a successor is elected by the Assembly of Experts.
A cleric member of the Guardian Council, Arafi will be part of the temporary Leadership Council alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.
"The Expediency Discernment Council has elected Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as a member of the interim leadership council," said expediency council spokesperson Mohsen Dehnavi, in a post on X.
"The appointment was made in accordance with Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution," he added.
He explained that until a new supreme leader is chosen, a temporary Leadership Council will be formed, comprising the country's president (Masoud Pezeshkian), the head of the judiciary, and one clerical member of the Guardian Council.
Dehnavi added that the council selected Arafi as its clerical representative to ensure continuity of leadership while the Assembly of Experts proceeds with electing a permanent leader "as soon as possible."
Iran on Sunday confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top officials in Israeli and US attacks on the country.
