Ayatollah Alireza Arafi Appointed Acting Supreme Leader Of Iran

Iran has appointed Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as acting Supreme Leader, according to a report by the Islamic Students News Agency (ISNA).

His emergence follows a decision by the Expediency Discernment Council, which selected him as the jurist representative of the Guardian Council within the temporary Leadership Council structure.

Under Iran’s constitutional provisions, the Leadership Council assumes the authority of the Supreme Leader until the Assembly of Experts chooses a permanent successor.

Arafi, 67, is a prominent cleric and member of the powerful Guardian Council. With his confirmation, he joins the three-person Interim Council entrusted with managing the country’s top leadership responsibilities during the transition.

He will serve alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei as they collectively oversee the duties of the office pending the appointment of a new Supreme Leader.