Iran's government has established a three-member interim leadership council following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, analysts say this is merely a constitutional formality, with real power during the transition expected to rest with Khamenei's inner circle.
State news agency IRNA reported on Thursday that President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i, and one Islamic law expert from the Guardian Council will assume the duties and powers of the Supreme Leader during the transition period. The move follows Article 111 of Iran's constitution, which governs succession when the Supreme Leader is incapacitated.
Khamenei was killed in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that began the previous day. The attack came after Iran refused to dismantle its nuclear program during three rounds of negotiations this month. President Donald Trump said Khamenei "died in the conflict," and Iranian authorities confirmed his death, declaring a 40-day mourning period. Local media reported he died at his office in Tehran.
Iran experts say power will likely be held by Khamenei's close associates rather than the formally constituted interim council. Former First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, who served as Khamenei's adviser, has been appointed acting Supreme Leader. Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council currently overseeing military and security affairs, was considered the most likely successor during Khamenei's lifetime. However, Larijani faces distrust from hardline conservatives for leading ratification of the 2015 nuclear deal.
The airstrikes also killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Mohammad Pakpour and Khamenei's senior security adviser Ali Shamkhani. The IRGC, Iran's elite military force, lost its previous commander Hossein Salami in U.S.-Israeli strikes in June last year.