After Khamenei: Who is Alireza Arafi, the ‘seasoned cleric’ now tasked with temporarily leading Iran?

His previous roles include time spent as a member of the influential Guardian Council, the body responsible for vetting election candidates and reviewing legislation passed by parliament.

He also heads Iran’s seminary system.

Although well established religiously, he is not widely regarded as a major political force and is not known for strong ties to the security establishment.

Why is post of Supreme Leader important

In Iran’s theocracy, the supreme leader wields immense and far-reaching powers, with a final say over all matters of the state.

The supreme Leader is the commander-in-chief of the country’s military, besides counting the powerful Revolutionary Guard as part of their circle of influence. The Guard, a paramilitary force that the United States designated a terrorist organization in 2019, had grown in power under Khamenei. That armed unit leads “Axis of Resistance”, a series of militant groups and allies across West Asia that act as a counter to the US and Israel and boast extensive wealth and holdings in Iran.

Only 2 Supreme Leaders so far

Iran has seen only Supreme Leaders so far. One was Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The othere was Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who died at the age of 86. Khomenei was the figurehead of the Iran Revolution and had led the country through its eight-year war with Iraq.

In Iran, Leadership Council takes shape

Iranian law directs that the Assembly of Experts, a clerical panel, “must, as soon as possible” pick a new supreme leader. But the process is complicated. Till a final name is revealed, a council steps in and “temporarily assume all the duties of leadership”.

With the announcement of Ayatollah Arafi’s name, this council now has three members, including Iran’s sitting President Masoud Pezeshkian, and the head of the country’s judiciary Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.

How is Iran’s Supreme Leader elected

The Assembly of Experts, consisting of 88 membersm appoints the supreme leader. It also holds the power to remove one, though that has never happened.

Iran Supreme Leader: Eligibility criteria

The Supreme Leader must be a senior Shia cleric and scholar. The Assembly of Experts, that is tasked with choosing the Supreme Leader, is a panel consisting entirely of Shiite clerics who are popularly elected every eight years.

Their candidacies are approved by the Guardian Council, Iran’s constitutional watchdog, which counts Ayatollah Arafi as a member.