Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been formally appointed to Iran's Leadership Council in the aftermath of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's reported death during military strikes, according to multiple credible international news sources. Outlets including Reuters, The Times of Israel, Anadolu Agency, and Al Arabiya confirm Arafi's inclusion in the interim leadership structure, marking a significant transition in Iran's clerical governance. The Leadership Council, tasked with guiding the country during periods of succession, has reportedly named Arafi as one of its key members amid heightened regional instability.

Several sources, including NDTV, The Times of India, and Deccan Herald, go further by reporting that Arafi has been named interim Supreme Leader. These accounts describe him as assuming immediate authority in the wake of Khamenei's death, positioning him at the center of Iran's political and religious response to the crisis. Arafi is characterized as a seasoned Shia cleric with deep institutional ties, having held influential roles within Iran's clerical hierarchy. His appointment aligns with patterns of internal succession favoring figures closely aligned with the existing power structure.