Iran picks Ayafi as interim leader after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death

Iran has appointed Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as its interim Supreme Leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli airstrike.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint United States Armed Forces–Israel Defense Forces airstrike campaign targeting Iranian leadership and regime structures.

On Saturday, Israel announced it had launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, saying the operation was intended to neutralise threats posed by Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes. The strikes reportedly involved coordination with US forces and hit multiple targets across Iranian territory.

Ayafi, a 67-year-old cleric, is a heavyweight within Iran’s religious establishment, having held influential positions including Director of Iran’s nationwide Islamic Seminary system and member of the Assembly of Experts.

Arafi will serve on the Interim Council with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, overseeing leadership responsibilities until a successor is selected.