Iran has activated a Leadership Council following confirmation of the death of Ali Khamenei. The authorities claim that the country’s spiritual and political leader was killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike, and the situation in the region is rapidly escalating.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian announced in a televised address on Sunday that the Leadership Council has begun its work. The body is temporarily assuming the duties of Iran’s Supreme Leader after the death of Khamenei, who was killed on Saturday in a U.S.-Israeli attack.
Interim Government in Iran
The Leadership Council is appointed when the position of Supreme Leader is vacant or when the cleric holding the office is unable to perform his duties. This collective body serves as the interim head of state until a new leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts. During this period, it assumes, among other responsibilities, command of the armed forces and oversight of key state institutions.
On Sunday, Iranian authorities confirmed the death of the 86-year-old Khamenei, who had been in power since 1989, as well as several senior security officials, including the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Pakpour, and security adviser Ali Shamkhani. Iranian state television also reported the deaths of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdulrahim Mousavi and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.
Since Saturday, Iran, Israel, and the United States have been carrying out reciprocal strikes, targeting not only Iranian territory but also sites in Israel and U.S. bases across the region.