At 66 years old, Alireza Arafi embodies the intertwining of religious authority and political influence that defines Iran's power structure, according to local media. Some media outlets in Israel, the United States, and Iran have claimed that he may have also been a target in recent attacks, however, to this hour, this information has not been confirmed by any agency or media outside of that conflict-ridden region. Alireza Arafi, 66, was appointed this Sunday as the third member of the interim council that will lead the country following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, reported today the Assembly of Discernment of the System's Expediency. Arafi assumes office alongside Iran's President, Masoud Pezeshkian, and the Head of Iran's Judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei. He is the third member of the council to be a Shiite cleric and jurist who currently serves as the president of the country's Center for the Management of Islamic Seminaries, a member of the Guardian Council, and the Vice President of the Assembly of Experts for Leadership, according to the Expediency Discernment Council's page.
