Who are the council members temporarily in charge of Iran? | Explainer News
Three-Member Council to Lead Iran Following Supreme Leader’s Death
TEHRAN, March 1, 2026 — In the aftermath of the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iranian authorities have established a three-member interim leadership council to govern until a successor is appointed. The council will include President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, a member of the Guardian Council.
Khamenei, who had been in power for nearly four decades, was killed in a coordinated strike by Israeli and U.S. forces. Following his death, Iranian officials vowed to retaliate, targeting Israeli and U.S. assets in the Gulf.
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire for regime change in Iran, highlighting the critical moment for the country. In the wake of Khamenei’s assassination, Iranian religious leaders began the process of selecting his successor.
The interim leadership council is authorized under Article 111 of Iran’s Constitution, which allows for a temporary body to fulfill the supreme leader’s responsibilities until a new leader is elected.
Profiles of the Leadership Council
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi
Appointed to the Guardian Council in 2019, Arafi plays a crucial role in vetting legislation to ensure its conformity with Islamic principles. He also supervises elections and heads the seminary system in Iran.
Masoud Pezeshkian
The 71-year-old reformist and heart surgeon became president after winning the 2024 elections. He previously served as health minister and faced economic challenges while promoting a reform-oriented agenda. In response to Khamenei’s assassination, he called for vengeance against those responsible.
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei
Currently heading the judiciary, Mohseni-Ejei has a history in conservative politics and has been a prominent figure since his appointment by Khamenei in 2021. Known for his hardline stance, he has vowed to address unrest with strict measures, condemning U.S. and Israeli interference as a catalyst for protests.
As Iran navigates this turbulent period, the council’s decisions will be closely monitored both domestically and internationally.
