The Crossbill Team
Within hours of the confirmation of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death in US-Israeli strikes, Iran moved swiftly to stabilise its leadership structure by appointing Ayatollah Alireza Arafi to a key interim role.
Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported that Arafi has been designated as the jurist member of a three-member Leadership Council that will temporarily discharge the powers of the Supreme Leader.
The council will function alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, forming the interim authority during the transition period. Arafi, 67, is considered a seasoned cleric and a close associate of Khamenei.
He currently serves as deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts — the constitutional body responsible for appointing the Supreme Leader — and also heads Iran’s seminary system.
Although well established within religious circles and previously viewed as a potential successor to Khamenei, Arafi is not widely seen as a dominant political figure and is not known for strong links with the security establishment.
Iran was thrust into uncertainty after state media, including IRNA, IRIB and Fars News Agency, confirmed on March 1, 2026, that Khamenei, 86, had been killed in coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes.
Reports said his office compound in Tehran was targeted during a meeting with senior aides. US President Donald Trump had announced his death earlier, with Iranian state television confirming it hours later.
Reuters reported that several members of Khamenei’s family, including his daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and daughter-in-law, were also killed. Iran has declared 40 days of state mourning and seven days of public holidays.
Other senior officials reported killed in the strikes include armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi and Revolutionary Guards commander General Mohammad Pakpour.
Intelligence and military sources told CBS News that around 40 Iranian officials in total died in the attacks. Iranian media further reported that Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, a former defence and interior minister, has been appointed as the new commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The strikes were described as part of a broader US-Israeli military operation targeting regime infrastructure. President Trump characterised Khamenei’s killing as “justice” and urged Iranians to overthrow the clerical establishment.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israeli military targets and at least 27 US bases or assets across the Gulf region. Air-raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, and damage was reported in Dubai, including at Jebel Ali port and Dubai International Airport. Reuters also reported attacks in Doha, Manama and Abu Dhabi.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf vowed severe retaliation, calling the strikes a crossing of a “red line”. Israel subsequently carried out additional strikes on Iranian ballistic missile and air defence facilities, with tensions showing no immediate signs of easing.
With no publicly designated successor prior to Khamenei’s death, Iran has activated constitutional transition mechanisms.
According to BBC and Reuters, senior official Ali Larijani announced on state television that the temporary leadership council comprising President Pezeshkian, the head of the judiciary and a senior jurist from the Guardian Council would oversee governance until a new Supreme Leader is selected by the Assembly of Experts.
Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported that Arafi has been designated as the jurist member of a three-member Leadership Council that will temporarily discharge the powers of the Supreme Leader.
The council will function alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, forming the interim authority during the transition period. Arafi, 67, is considered a seasoned cleric and a close associate of Khamenei.
He currently serves as deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts — the constitutional body responsible for appointing the Supreme Leader — and also heads Iran’s seminary system.
Although well established within religious circles and previously viewed as a potential successor to Khamenei, Arafi is not widely seen as a dominant political figure and is not known for strong links with the security establishment.
Iran was thrust into uncertainty after state media, including IRNA, IRIB and Fars News Agency, confirmed on March 1, 2026, that Khamenei, 86, had been killed in coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes.
Reports said his office compound in Tehran was targeted during a meeting with senior aides. US President Donald Trump had announced his death earlier, with Iranian state television confirming it hours later.
Reuters reported that several members of Khamenei’s family, including his daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and daughter-in-law, were also killed. Iran has declared 40 days of state mourning and seven days of public holidays.
Other senior officials reported killed in the strikes include armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi and Revolutionary Guards commander General Mohammad Pakpour.
Intelligence and military sources told CBS News that around 40 Iranian officials in total died in the attacks. Iranian media further reported that Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, a former defence and interior minister, has been appointed as the new commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The strikes were described as part of a broader US-Israeli military operation targeting regime infrastructure. President Trump characterised Khamenei’s killing as “justice” and urged Iranians to overthrow the clerical establishment.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israeli military targets and at least 27 US bases or assets across the Gulf region. Air-raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, and damage was reported in Dubai, including at Jebel Ali port and Dubai International Airport. Reuters also reported attacks in Doha, Manama and Abu Dhabi.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf vowed severe retaliation, calling the strikes a crossing of a “red line”. Israel subsequently carried out additional strikes on Iranian ballistic missile and air defence facilities, with tensions showing no immediate signs of easing.
With no publicly designated successor prior to Khamenei’s death, Iran has activated constitutional transition mechanisms.
According to BBC and Reuters, senior official Ali Larijani announced on state television that the temporary leadership council comprising President Pezeshkian, the head of the judiciary and a senior jurist from the Guardian Council would oversee governance until a new Supreme Leader is selected by the Assembly of Experts.
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