Alireza Arafi

Alireza Arafi is a senior cleric and Guardian Council member appointed by Khamenei in 2019. He has served as president of the Islamic Seminaries of Iran (Hawza). Following Khamenei's death in February 2026, he was appointed as the Guardian Council's representative on the three-member interim leadership council, alongside President Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Mohseni-Ejei, pursuant to Article 111 of the constitution. He has been mentioned as a potential future Supreme Leader.