For the first time in 36 years, Iran has a new face at the top.

Ayatollah Alireza Arafi. 67 years old. And most people have never heard his name.

Here’s everything you need to know about the man now running Iran:

He’s not doing it alone. Iran formed a 3-person leadership council: Arafi, President Pezeshkian, and Chief Justice Mohseni-Eje’i.

They’re splitting Khamenei’s powers between them until the Assembly of Experts picks a permanent Supreme Leader.

But Arafi is the one everyone’s watching.

This guy has been quietly stacking power for DECADES.

Born in 1959 in the small town of Meybod. His father was reportedly close with Khomeini himself, the original Supreme Leader. He was sent to Qom for religious training at age 11.

By 33, Khamenei personally made him Friday prayer leader. That doesn’t happen unless you’re trusted at the highest levels.

He simultaneously held THREE of the most powerful positions in the country:

– Director of Iran’s entire seminary system

– Member of the Guardian Council (the body that vets every law and every candidate)

– Member of the Assembly of Experts (the body that literally picks the Supreme Leader)

The man who now temporarily IS the Supreme Leader was already on the committee that CHOOSES the Supreme Leader.

He’s what makes him different.

He speaks fluent English and Arabic. He met Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2022. And he’s been openly pushing for Iran to adopt artificial intelligence to spread its message globally.

He’s being described by Reuters as a “completely trusted loyalist” of the regime. The IRGC sees him as a safe pair of hands.

Some analysts had him on the shortlist to replace Khamenei for YEARS. Now he’s effectively filling that role, at least temporarily.

The real question: does the Assembly of Experts make it permanent? Or does someone else emerge?

Iran 🇮🇷 REPORTS