Alireza Arafi Appointed Acting Supreme Leader of Iran

Alireza Arafi has been appointed as the acting Supreme Leader of Iran and has joined a leadership council tasked with governing the country during a transitional period.

The 67-year-old cleric will work within this council alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Head of the Judiciary Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje'i. This collegial body is now responsible for temporarily performing the duties of the nation's highest authority.

Arafi is an influential Shia cleric with extensive experience in Iran's state and religious institutions. He was considered a close confidant of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 as a result of strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory.

Prior to this appointment, Arafi served as Deputy Chairman of the Assembly of Experts, was a member of the Guardian Council, and headed Iran's system of religious seminaries.