New Guardian Council member appointed after Khamenei’s death

Scholar and jurist Alireza Arafi has been nominated to Iran’s Guardian Council following the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to a report by Al Jazeera on Sunday (March 1), citing a spokesperson for Iran’s Expediency Council, Arafi has been named to the powerful body that vets election candidates and reviews legislation. He previously served as a member of the Guardian Council.

The report also said the leadership council currently includes Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ajei.

Earlier, several Iranian state media outlets reported that Khamenei was killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. However, no official successor has been announced.

Under Iran’s constitution, the 88-member Assembly of Experts is responsible for selecting the next supreme leader.

International media, including CNN, have listed several possible candidates:

Mojtaba Khamenei Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is the second son of the late supreme leader. He is believed to have close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its paramilitary wing, the Basij. However, dynastic succession is generally discouraged in Iran’s Shiite clerical system. He also does not hold a senior clerical rank or a formal government post.

Alireza Arafi Arafi, 67, is deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts and head of Iran’s seminary system. Though considered close to Khamenei, he is not widely seen as a major political power and is not known for strong ties to the security forces.

Mohammad Mahdi Mirbagheri Hardline cleric Mohammad Mahdi Mirbagheri, 60, is also a member of the Assembly of Experts. He leads the Academy of Islamic Sciences in Qom and is known for his strongly anti-Western views.

Hassan Khomeini Hassan Khomeini, 50, is the grandson of Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. He serves as custodian of his grandfather’s shrine. Though he carries religious and revolutionary legitimacy, he has not held major public office and is seen as a comparatively moderate figure.

Hashem Hosseini Bushehri Senior cleric Hashem Hosseini Bushehri, 60, is first vice-chairman of the Assembly of Experts. He is considered close to Khamenei but maintains a relatively low political profile.

The succession process is expected to shape Iran’s political direction at a critical time for the country and the region.