Alireza Arafi

Alireza Arafi is an ayatollah and the new president of Iran. He became the leader of Iran on March 1, 2026, after Ali Khamenei, who had ruled the country for 37 years, was killed on February 28. 

Alireza Arafi is a 67-year-old Shiite cleric who is a member of the Guardian Council and head of Iran's seminary system. According to preliminary information, he did not have close ties with Iran's security forces.

It remains to be seen whether Arafi will rule for long at a time when the conflict between Iran and the US has escalated. After all, the US and Israel are conducting Operation "Roaring Lion" against Iran.