Iran’s Constitution provides a clear mechanism for transferring supreme authority in the event of the death or inability of the country’s current leader to perform his duties, the Telegram channel “Iran News” writes.

According to the channel, the process consists of two main stages: the formation of a temporary leadership council and the subsequent election of a permanent leader.

Temporary Leadership Council

In accordance with Article 111 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, during the period when the country is without a Supreme Leader (Rahbar), his powers are temporarily transferred to a special council composed of three individuals:

  • The President of Iran (currently Masoud Pezeshkian).
  • The Head of the Judiciary (Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei).
  • One of the Islamic jurists (faqihs) who is a member of the Guardian Council. The candidate for this position is determined by the Expediency Discernment Council, an advisory body to the Supreme Leader.

The Temporary Council thus formed is vested with all the powers of the Supreme Leader during the transitional period and carries out interim governance of the state.

Election of a New Supreme Leader

The selection of a permanent Supreme Leader is the exclusive prerogative of the Assembly of Experts. This state body consists of 88 prominent Islamic theologians elected by popular vote.

According to the law, the Assembly of Experts must convene as soon as possible after the vacancy arises and hold a vote to determine the country’s new leader.