Who Is Ayatollah Arafi? 10 Things To Know About Iran’s Acting Supreme Leader

• Who Is Ayatollah Arafi? 10 Key Things To Know About Iran’s Acting Supreme Leader
• Article 111 activated after Khamenei’s death.
• Assembly of Experts to choose permanent successor.

Iran’s interim leadership council has appointed Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as the clerical member of the body exercising the constitutional powers of the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

EDITOR’S PICKS 

• Governor Ahmadu Fintiri Defects To APC As Atiku’s Son Refuses To Dump PDP
• Should Governors Have To Join Ruling Party for ‘Greater Federal Support’?
• FEDSA National Pays Courtesy Visit to Lekki LCDA Chairman, Applauds Free JAMB Initiative

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Arafi assumed the role on March 1, 2026, in line with Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution, which provides for a temporary leadership structure pending the selection of a new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts.

Under the constitution, a leadership council takes over in the event of the death or incapacitation of a Supreme Leader. Following Khamenei’s death, the council has begun overseeing the political and religious responsibilities attached to the office.

Arafi’s appointment places him at the centre of a delicate transition period in Iran. A senior Shi’a cleric, he is regarded as influential across the country’s religious institutions, judiciary and security establishment.

Below are ten key facts about the acting Iranian leader:

1. Born in 1959 in Meybod, Yazd Province, Arafi rose steadily through Iran’s clerical ranks.

2. He follows the Twelver Shi’a denomination and Ja‘fari jurisprudence within the Usuli tradition.

3. He began his religious studies in Qom, Iran’s leading centre of Shi’a scholarship, where he also studied Arabic, English, mathematics and philosophy.

4. Arafi attained the rank of mujtahid and has authored several works, including Education Jurisprudence.

5. He served as President of Al Mustafa International University from 2008 to 2018.

6. He has been the Friday Prayer Imam of Qom since 2015.

7. Since 2016, he has led Iran’s nationwide seminary system.

8. He holds the title of Ayatollah, reserved for senior Shi’a scholars.

9. He has been a member of the Guardian Council since 2019.

10. Since 2022, he has served on the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for appointing the Supreme Leader.

    

    FURTHER READING

    • Fire Breaks Out At Jama’a Emir’s Palace In Kaduna
    • ‘Security Is Local’ – Tinubu Makes Fresh Case for State Policing
    • Nigeria’s GDP Grows by 4.07% in Q4 2025, NBS Reports