After Khamenei: Who is Alireza Arafi, the ‘seasoned cleric’ now tasked with temporarily leading Iran?

Iran news: Hours after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in US strikes was confirmed, Ayatollah Arafi, a seasoned cleric and close associate of Khamenei, has been chosen to temporarily lead Iran. Arafi has been appointed the jurist member of the leadership council that will temporarily fulfill the Supreme Leader’s role, news agency Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported. The ​three-member Leadership Council also alongside ​President Masoud Pezeshkian ⁠and Chief Justice Gholamhossein ‌Mohseni ⁠Ejei. US-Israel attacks Iran LIVE Updates ## Who is Alireza Arafi? Arafi was seen as one of the contenders to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The 67-year-old is a seasoned cleric and close associate of Khamenei. Arafi currently serves as deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, which appoints the Supreme Leader. His previous roles include time spent as a member of the influential Guardian Council, the body responsible for vetting election candidates and reviewing legislation passed by parliament. He also heads Iran’s seminary system. Although well established religiously, he is not widely regarded as a major political force and is not known for strong ties to the security establishment. ## Why is post of Supreme Leader important In Iran’s theocracy, the supreme leader wields immense and far-reaching powers, with a final say over all matters of the state. The supreme Leader is the commander-in-chief of the country’s military, besides counting the powerful Revolutionary Guard as part of their circle of influence. The Guard, a paramilitary force that the United States designated a terrorist organization in 2019, had grown in power under Khamenei. That armed unit leads “Axis of Resistance”, a series of militant groups and allies across West Asia that act as a counter to the US and Israel and boast extensive wealth and holdings in Iran. ## Only 2 Supreme Leaders so far Iran has seen only Supreme Leaders so far. One was Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The othere was Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who died at the age of 86. Khomenei was the figurehead of the Iran Revolution and had led the country through its eight-year war with Iraq. ## In Iran, Leadership Council takes shape Iranian law directs that the Assembly of Experts, a clerical panel, “must, as soon as possible” pick a new supreme leader. But the process is complicated. Till a final name is revealed, a council steps in and “temporarily assume all the duties of leadership”. With the announcement of Ayatollah Arafi’s name, this council now has three members, including Iran’s sitting President Masoud Pezeshkian, and the head of the country’s judiciary Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei. ## How is Iran’s Supreme Leader elected The Assembly of Experts, consisting of 88 membersm appoints the supreme leader. It also holds the power to remove one, though that has never happened. ## Iran Supreme Leader: Eligibility criteria The Supreme Leader must be a senior Shia cleric and scholar. The Assembly of Experts, that is tasked with choosing the Supreme Leader, is a panel consisting entirely of Shiite clerics who are popularly elected every eight years. Their candidacies are approved by the Guardian Council, Iran’s constitutional watchdog, which counts Ayatollah Arafi as a member. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More