Iran’s governing council, established to carry out state duties following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has officially begun its work, President Masoud Pezeshkian announced, according to Iranian media reports.
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, member of a powerful constitutional watchdog, was appointed on Sunday to the temporary council, whose other two members are President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei.
In a televised address, Pezeshkian reportedly said the temporary governing body had already started operating and would continue along the path set by the late leader.
“The temporary governing body has started working and with full resolve will continue following the path of our dear imam [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei],” he stated.
Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, confirmed that the council will assume the responsibilities of the supreme leader until a successor is elected in accordance with the country’s constitutional procedures.
Meanwhile, Russian news agency TASS reported today that U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with The New York Times that he sees three potential candidates to lead Iran in the future.
According to the publication, Trump said he has “three very good choices” in mind for who could head the Islamic Republic but declined to name them.
The New York Times also reported that Trump signaled openness to easing sanctions on Iran if the country’s new leadership proves to be a pragmatic partner, according TASS.
At the same time, the U.S. president reportedly refrained from clarifying whether Washington would support efforts to overthrow Iran’s current authorities.
“I don’t make a commitment one way or the other; it’s too early,” Trump was quoted as saying. “We have work to do and we’ve done it very well. I’d say we’re quite ahead of schedule.”
