Iran Forms Temporary Leadership Council After Khamenei’s Death

Iran has formed a three-member temporary leadership council following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a report by Islamic Republic News Agency cited by AFP.

The council is headed by President Masoud Pajhwok. The other members are Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei and a senior cleric from Iran’s influential Guardian Council.

The development comes after a joint US-Israeli military operation in Iran on Saturday, February 28. Later that night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Khamenei had been killed. US President Donald Trump also confirmed the death.

Iran officially acknowledged Khamenei’s death on Sunday morning (March 1), Bangladesh time.

Khamenei, 86, had served as Iran’s supreme religious and political authority since 1989. He held sweeping powers over the military, judiciary and intelligence agencies, and played a central role in shaping state policy.

Under Article 111 of Iran’s Constitution, adopted after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, a temporary leadership council assumes authority if the Supreme Leader dies, is removed or becomes unable to perform his duties. The council oversees state affairs until a new Supreme Leader is appointed.