Alireza Arafi Appointed Acting Leader of Iran

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Alireza Arafi has been appointed as the acting leader of Iran and has joined the governing council tasked with managing the country during the transitional period, Iranian news agency ISNA reported.

According to the announcement, the 67-year-old Arafi will serve on the council alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Court Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Eje’i.

The collegial body is entrusted with temporarily performing the duties of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

Alireza Arafi is a prominent Shia cleric with extensive experience in both governmental and religious institutions in Iran. He was considered a trusted confidant of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on 28 February following 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 network of religious educational institutions.