TEHRAN – The temporary leadership council held its second meeting on Monday as Iran begins discussions to determine the country’s new Leader following the martyrdom of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes Saturday morning.

The temporary council consists of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Eje’i, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Guardian Council representative Ayatollah Alireza Erafi. As per Article 101 of the Iranian Constitution, these members must fulfill the absent Leader’s duties until the next Leader is chosen.

The new Leader will be selected by the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body directly elected by the people and composed primarily of prominent clerics. 

Ayatollah Khamenei had led Iran for almost 37 years. He was originally chosen by the Assembly of Experts in 1989 following the passing of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Imam Khomeini.