Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s head of judiciary, to lead transitional phase after Khamenei’s death

Iranian state media on Sunday reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s head of the judiciary, will lead a temporary leadership council to oversee the country’s transitional phase following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Citing Article 111 of Iran’s Constitution, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that Mr Pezeshkian, who heads the judiciary, and a senior cleric from the Guardian Council will lead the country temporarily to ensure continuity in governance.

Earlier on Sunday, Mr Khamenei was confirmed to have been killed in a deadly U.S.-Israel strike on his office.

A 40-day mourning period has been declared for the leader, who reigned over Iran for over three decades.

The 86-year-old late Supreme Leader of Iran assumed power in the Islamic Republic after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.