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Alireza Arafi Named to Leadership Council in Iran Following Khamenei's Death - Selection Process for New Supreme Leader

Published March 1, 2026, 12:13
Alireza Arafi Named to Leadership Council in Iran Following Khamenei's Death - Selection Process for New Supreme Leader

Following the death of Ali Khamenei, Alireza Arafi has been appointed as a member of the Leadership Council, representing the Council of Guardians. Alongside Arafi, the Council includes President Masoud Pezeshkian and the head of the judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei. This three-member group has taken over the duties of the Supreme Leader until the official process of selecting a new leader is completed. Arafi, a renowned cleric aged 67, was a trusted confidant of Khamenei and holds significant positions, such as vice president of the Assembly of Experts and a member of the Council of Guardians. The process of selecting Khamenei's successor is defined by the Iranian Constitution and falls under the jurisdiction of the Assembly of Experts, which consists of 88 members, clerics who are elected and approved by the Council of Guardians. The Assembly of Experts must select the new Supreme Leader “as soon as possible,” with the aim of maintaining the stability and continuity of the state. Simultaneously, a new commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Ahmad Vahidi, was announced following the death of the previous commander in Israeli attacks.