Ayatollah Alireza Arafi

Ayatollah Alireza Arafi is a member of Iran's Guardian Council, a powerful constitutional watchdog. He has recently become newsworthy due to his appointment to a three-member interim leadership council. This council was formed following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on March 1, 2026. The council, which also includes the Iranian president and the chief justice of the Supreme Court, is tasked with overseeing the transition of power and handling state duties until a successor to Khamenei is chosen. Arafi's position on the Guardian Council, which vets laws and candidates for office, makes him a significant figure in Iranian politics, and his role in this interim leadership highlights his current relevance in the country's political landscape during this period of transition.