Iran forms three-member interim Leadership Council including President, Chief Justice and senior cleric Alireza Arafi under constitutional Article 111 provisions
Iran is going through a major political transition after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint United States–Israeli strike on Tehran’s leadership facilities on March 1, 2026. Iran confirmed the incident. After this sudden development, Iran immediately activated its constitutional emergency process.
According to Article 111 of Iran’s Constitution, if the Supreme Leader dies or cannot perform his duties and has not officially named a successor, a temporary Leadership Council takes charge. This council holds all the powers of the Supreme Leader until the Assembly of Experts selects a permanent replacement.
Formation of the Interim Leadership Council
Soon after the news broke, authorities formed the Interim Leadership Council. The Constitution clearly states that this council must include three members:
- The President, Masoud Pezeshkian
- The Chief Justice, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei
- A senior cleric chosen by the Guardian Council
The Guardian Council selected Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as the clerical jurist member of this council. Since Iran’s political system is based on religious leadership and has always been led by a senior cleric, Arafi’s presence is very important.
The three members now collectively exercise the powers that previously belonged to the Supreme Leader. Although decisions are shared among them, Arafi’s religious authority carries special importance because Iran’s system is built on clerical leadership.
Who Is Ayatollah Alireza Arafi?
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi is a senior Iranian cleric and an influential figure in the country’s religious and political system. He was born in 1959 in Meybod, a city in Yazd province, Iran. He comes from a deeply religious family connected to Shia Islamic scholarship.
His father, Mohammad Ibrahim al-Arafi, was a preacher and writer who had close ties with early leaders of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, including Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Because of this background, Arafi grew up close to the ideological foundations of the post-1979 system.
His Religious Education in Qom
Arafi started his religious studies at a young age. Later, he moved to Qom, which is the main center of Shia Islamic learning in Iran. There, he studied advanced Twelver Shi’a jurisprudence (Ja’fari school). Over time, he rose through the ranks and became a respected religious scholar.
His years of study and teaching in Qom helped him build strong connections within Iran’s clerical leadership.
Important Positions He Has Held
Over the years, Arafi has held several powerful positions in both religious and political institutions.
Since 2019, he has been a member of the Guardian Council. This body plays a key role in Iran’s system. It reviews laws passed by Parliament and approves or disqualifies candidates who want to run for president, parliament, or the Assembly of Experts. Through this position, Arafi has influenced both legislation and elections.
Since 2022, he has also been a member of the Assembly of Experts. This 88-member body of clerics is responsible for appointing and supervising the Supreme Leader. Now, this same body will choose Khamenei’s permanent successor.
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In 2016, Arafi became the head of Iran’s seminaries. In this role, he oversees the country’s network of Islamic theological schools and influences the training of future clerics.
He also serves as the Friday Prayer Imam of Qom. Leading Friday prayers in Qom is a respected and important position reserved for senior clerics.
Earlier, from 2008 to 2018, he served as President of Al-Mustafa International University. This institution trains clerics and students from many countries. Through this role, Arafi expanded his influence internationally and strengthened Iran’s global religious outreach.
A Trusted Leader Within the System
Over time, Arafi gained important roles across religious, educational, and political institutions. Many observers see him as a trusted and reliable figure within Iran’s clerical establishment. His steady rise suggests that powerful groups within the system, including those close to Khamenei, supported him.
His appointment to the Interim Leadership Council shows that the leadership wants continuity and stability during this sensitive time.
What Happens Next?
Now that the Interim Leadership Council is in place, the Assembly of Experts must meet to choose a permanent Supreme Leader. The Constitution does not set a strict deadline, but the process is expected to move quickly, possibly within days or weeks.
Arafi is also a member of the Assembly of Experts. This means he will take part in choosing the next Supreme Leader. Although there is no official statement suggesting he will become the next leader, his position keeps him close to the center of the decision-making process.
Why His Appointment Matters
Arafi’s appointment sends a message of stability. By choosing a senior cleric with deep experience in religious and political institutions, Iran has kept religious authority at the center of power.
His presence also balances the structure of the Interim Leadership Council. While the President represents the executive branch and the Chief Justice represents the judiciary, Arafi represents the religious foundation of the Islamic Republic.
At a time of rising regional tension, especially after the reported U.S.–Israeli strike, his appointment shows that the principle of Velayat-e Faqih, the rule of the Islamic jurist, remains firmly in place.
Challenges Ahead
The Interim Leadership Council faces serious challenges. Iran is dealing with external military tensions, internal political differences, economic pressure, and public dissatisfaction. The sudden loss of its long-time Supreme Leader has added uncertainty.
How the council handles these challenges and how smoothly the Assembly of Experts selects a new Supreme Leader will shape Iran’s future.
For now, Ayatollah Alireza Arafi stands at the center of this historic transition, helping guide Iran through one of the most critical moments in its modern history.
khushisikarwar is an award-winning journalist and content creator who thrives on telling stories that matter. As a key contributor to Newsisland, [she] focus on cultural commentary, providing readers with thought-provoking insights.
