Interim council assumes full authority as Iran prepares to elect a new Supreme Leader
TEHRAN: Iran has announced the formation of a three‑member interim leadership council following the sudden deaths of key top officials, state media reported Sunday.
The unexpected killings of national security figures, including longtime security adviser Ali Shamkhani and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander General Pakpour, plunged the country into political uncertainty, prompting swift constitutional action.
Iran’s state television confirmed the deaths and said that, under the constitution, a temporary leadership council will assume the full duties of the nation’s highest offices until a new Supreme Leader is selected.
The interim council consists of the country’s president, the chief justice, and a senior jurist from the Guardian Council — a clerical body responsible for overseeing elections and vetting candidates. According to constitutional provisions, this trio will wield supreme authority, maintaining governance and national stability during the transition period.
Officials said the constitutional mechanism was invoked after the Supreme Leader’s position effectively became vacant, activating measures designed to avoid a leadership vacuum. The interim leaders are expected to oversee key state functions, including security, foreign policy, and domestic governance, until the next Supreme Leader is chosen.
Iranian media emphasized that the process to elect a new Supreme Leader will begin immediately, but provided no specific timeline.
The development marks a significant moment in Iran’s modern political history, testing the resilience of its constitutional framework amid crisis.
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