Council assumes powers from Khamenei until new supreme leader is chosen
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was assassinated during the military aggression of the United States (US) and Israel against the Persian country. The information was confirmed by the official Iranian media on Saturday night (28), Brasília time, early in the morning in Tehran.
In the early hours of the day, thousands of people took to the streets in cities across the country to protest Khamenei’s assassination and mourn his death, as shown by aerial images from Iranian state vehicles. 40 days of mourning were declared for Khamenei’s death.
Also this Sunday (1st), the formation of a collegial body to replace Khamenei was announced. It is made up of the heads of the Executive, President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie, and the Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, according to the state-run Terah Times newspaper.
In addition to these, Ayatollah Alireza Arafi was appointed to represent the Council of Guardians on the board, a body headed by Ali Khamenei, reported the Iranian agency Isna News.
Therefore, Ayatollah Arafi is not the new supreme leader, who still needs to be elected by the Assembly of Specialists, or Experts. The so-called Interim Leadership Council assumes Khamenei’s functions and powers until the new leader is chosen.
Khamenei’s martyrdom
The residence of the head of state of Iran, Ali Khamenei, who has been in office for 36 years, was reportedly bombed during the US and Israeli aggression, killing part of the political and religious leader’s family, including his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandson. The information is from the Tehral Times newspaper.
Iranian authorities also reported the assassination of other important leaders in the country, such as the Secretary of the Defense Council, Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani; and the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Mohammad Pakpour.
The Iranian Armed Forces warned, in a statement, that they will make the US and Israel regret it.
“We will make the enemies of this nation, especially the criminal United States and the evil Zionist regime, repent with the strength, firmness and support of the honorable people, and we will continue the path of this wise and powerful leader until the last drop of blood and the surrender of the enemies”, reiterated the heads of Iran’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a statement.
supreme leader
In the position of supreme leader for 36 years, Khamenei was at the top of the Power structure of the Islamic Republic of Iran which, in addition to the Executive, the Parliament and the Judiciary, has the Council of Guardians, made up of six appointed by Ayatollah Khamenei himself and six appointed by Parliament.
Another typical political body of the Islamic Republic is the Assembly of Specialists, or Experts, formed by 86 religious people elected by popular vote. This assembly is responsible for electing the ayatollah who will be the supreme leader of Iran. Although the position is for life, the Assembly of Experts can remove him.
Originally published by Agência Brasil on 03/01/2026
By Lucas Pordeus León – Reporter at Agência Brasil – Brasília
Edition: Graça Adjuto
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2026/03/01/com-morte-de-khamenei-ira-forma-conselho-de-governo-com-aiatola-arafi/
