After the death of Ali Khamenei, who led Iran since 1989, the country is temporarily managed by a council of three people: President Masoud Pezeshkian, head of the judiciary Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, a member of the Guardian Council of the Constitution.
Mojtaba Khamenei in 2019. Photo Morteza Nikoubazl / NurPhoto / picture alliance.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during a military operation by Israel and the United States that began on February 28. His wife was injured in the attacks and later passed away.
The position of Supreme Leader, held for life, is appointed by members of the Assembly of Experts—a state body of 88 individuals knowledgeable in Islamic law. These experts are elected by the citizens of Iran every eight years, with the last elections held in 2024.
On February 28, Israel and the United States began attacking Iranian territory. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his intention to destroy the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic, urging Iranian military forces to lay down their arms and for the country's residents to take their fate into their own hands.
According to Iranian state media, at least 787 people were killed as a result of the strikes, and the country responded with attacks on Israel and several Persian Gulf states, which also suffered losses. Tehran claims that it is not at war with Arab countries, but is conducting strikes against U.S. military bases in the region.
