Who is Alireza Arafi… whom Iran appointed as its “Supreme Leader” immediately after Khamenei’s death?

Ayatollah Alireza Arafi becomes Iran’s new interim Supreme Leader. (Photo: Instragram )

Following the death of Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli attack, Iranian cleric Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been appointed as Iran’s interim Supreme Leader. According to ISNA, he will serve as a legal expert member of the Interim Leadership Council. Under the constitution, this council, consisting of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, and a cleric from the Guardian Council, will lead the country until a new Supreme Leader is elected.

Iranian cleric Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been appointed as Iran’s interim Supreme Leader following the death of Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Iran’s state news agency ISNA reported this. Khamenei has been killed in a joint US-Israeli attack.

The Interim Council will assume the duties of the Supreme Leader.

Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been appointed as a jurist member of the Interim Leadership Council. This council will handle all the duties of the Supreme Leader during the transition period until a new leader is elected, in accordance with Iran’s constitution.

According to Iran’s constitution, the Interim Council consists of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, and a cleric from the Guardian Council.

After Khamenei’s death, this council will jointly assume control of the country as Iran enters a period of transition.

Khamenei had ruled Iran since 1989

Khamenei, 86, who had ruled Iran since 1989, was killed in a major US-Israeli military strike on Saturday. The operation targeted military bases, government sites, and senior leadership locations, including those associated with Defense Minister Amir Naserzadeh and Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Pakpour.

Trump and Netanyahu Announced

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were the first to announce Khamenei’s death. Trump wrote on Twitter, “Khamenei, one of the most evil men in history, is no more. This is justice not only for the people of Iran, but also for all the great Americans and people around the world who were murdered or harmed by Khamenei and his bloodthirsty assassins.”

Iran initially denied the reports, but confirmed Khamenei’s death on Sunday morning. The country now faces deep uncertainty as it grapples with external attacks and the process of selecting a new leadership.