TEHRAN, Iran: Iran has appointed Ayatollah Alireza Arafi to its interim Leadership Council following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint US–Israeli strike, Iranian state media reported on Sunday.
The appointment was announced by the state news agency ISNA and confirmed by Expediency Discernment Council spokesman Mohsen Dehnavi in a post on X.
“The Expediency Discernment Council has elected Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as a member of the interim leadership council,” Dehnavi said.
Dehnavi said that the appointment was made in accordance with Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution.
The council will assume the responsibilities of the Supreme Leader under Iran’s constitution until a successor is elected.
Constitutional transition
Iranian state media said a constitutional transition mechanism had been activated after Khamenei was killed on Saturday during coordinated US–Israeli missile strikes while he was at his office.
Under Article 111 of Iran’s constitution, when the position of Supreme Leader becomes vacant due to death, resignation or removal, a three-member Leadership Council assumes the duties temporarily.
The interim body comprises President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a senior jurist selected from the Guardian Council. Arafi has been named as that jurist member.
The arrangement will remain in place until the 88-member Assembly of Experts elects a permanent successor.
The Assembly is constitutionally responsible for appointing and supervising the Supreme Leader.
Senior official Mohammad Mokhber earlier said that the duties of the supreme leadership during the interim period would be managed collectively in line with the constitution.
Khamenei’s death
Iranian media reported that Khamenei was killed during a wave of coordinated missile attacks carried out by the United States and Israel.
Reports by Iranian outlets also claimed that several members of his family — including his son, daughter-in-law, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter — were killed in the strike.
President Pezeshkian described the killing as a “great crime” in his first public statement after the attack.
He said those responsible would face a strong and decisive response and added that the blood of the Supreme Leader would not go unanswered.
Iranian authorities announced seven days of national holiday and a 40-day mourning period.
Following the attack, Iran launched retaliatory strikes targeting Israeli territory and US military installations in the Gulf region, according to Iranian media.
Explosions were reported in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Air defence systems were activated in several Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, media reports said.
