Iran appoints Ayatollah Alireza Arafi to interim leadership council after Khamenei's killing

TEHRAN (Web Desk) - Iran named Ayatollah Alireza Arafi to its interim leadership council, which will be at the helm of the country following the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday.

"The Expediency Discernment Council has elected Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as a member of the interim leadership council," said expediency council spokesman Mohsen Dehnavi in a post on X.

The interim council, which will also include the president and the head of the judiciary, will lead the country until the Assembly of Experts "elects a permanent leader as soon as possible."

Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian released his first statement after the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it a decisive turning point in the history of the Islamic world.

Iranian media has reported that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was martyred in a joint US-Israeli attack while performing official duties at his office.

Reports claim that members of his family, including his son, daughter-in-law, daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were also killed in the strike.

Also Read: Who will lead Iran next? Succession process begins after Khamenei's demise

Khamenei, who had led Iran since 1989, was targeted during a wave of coordinated missile attacks carried out by the United States and Israel.

Iranian authorities have announced seven days of national holiday and a 40-day mourning period, vowing retaliation.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the killing as a “great crime,” calling it a turning point for Islamic world.

He said those responsible would face a strong and decisive response, adding that the blood of the Supreme Leader would not go unanswered.

Following the attack, Iran reportedly launched retaliatory strikes targeting Israeli territory and US military installations in the Gulf region.

Explosions were reported in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while air defense systems were activated in several Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar.