Iran's interim leadership council begun its operations and held two formal meetings on Sunday, in the wake of the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday that also led to the assassination of several senior officials besides massive civilian casualties.
In a video message carried by state-run IRIB TV, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that the three-member council has been formed and begun its operations to temporarily assume the leader's responsibilities.
He made the announcement hours after Iran confirmed the death of Khamenei in Saturday's U.S.-Israeli attacks.
Iran's official news agency IRNA reported that Iran's Expediency Discernment Council has selected Alireza Arafi, a jurist from the country's Constitutional Council, as a member of the interim leadership council.
The interim leadership council also comprises President Pezeshkian and Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei.
Earlier in the day, Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani said that according to Article 111 of Iran's Constitution, in case of the country's lack of leadership, its president, judiciary chief and a jurist from the Constitutional Council will temporarily assume the leader's responsibilities.
Pezeshkian said the council will continue Khamenei's path with strength, vowing that Iran's armed forces are ready to "smash" the bases of the "enemies."
Iran's interim leadership council begins operation, holds formal meetings on Sunday
