Iran Leadership Transition: Ayatollah Alireza Arafi Appointed to Temporary Council for Supreme Leader Duties

TEHRAN, March 02, 2026 — In a significant shift within the Islamic Republic’s power structure, Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been officially selected by the Expediency Discernment Council to temporarily execute the duties of the Supreme Leader.

The former leader of Iran’s influential seminaries and the Friday Imam of Qom will serve in this high-level capacity alongside the President and the Chief Justice as part of a collective leadership arrangement. This strategic appointment aims to ensure administrative and spiritual continuity during a critical period for the nation.

As a prominent clerical figure with deep ties to Iran’s religious and political establishments, Ayatollah Arafi’s temporary elevation reflects the council’s focus on maintaining stability within the supreme leadership’s office.