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Alireza Arafi

Alireza Arafi is an Iranian Shia cleric and politician.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Alireza Arafi is an Iranian Shia cleric and politician. He has served on Iran’s Guardian Council since 2019 and on the Assembly of Experts since 2022, and he became head of Iran’s seminaries in 2016. He has also served as Friday Prayer Imam of Qom since 2015.

Early life

Arafi was born in 1959 in Meybod, Yazd Province, Iran. Available sources describe him as coming from a clerical family.

Religious and academic career

Arafi is a Shia cleric with the rank of ayatollah. Sources also describe him as an Islamic scholar and note his leadership roles in Iran's seminary system.

Political roles

He has served on the Guardian Council since 2019 and was elected to the Assembly of Experts in 2022. These bodies are important institutions in Iran's political and religious system.

Public positions

Arafi has been the Friday Prayer Imam of Qom since 2015 and head of Iran's seminaries since 2016. He also previously served as rector of Al-Mustafa International University.

Key facts

  • Alireza Arafi is an Iranian Shia cleric and politician.
  • He was born in 1959 in Meybod, in Iran’s Yazd Province.
  • He has been a member of Iran’s Guardian Council since 2019.
  • He has been a member of the Assembly of Experts since 2022.
  • He has led Iran’s seminaries since 2016 and served as Friday Prayer Imam of Qom since 2015.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Alireza Arafi?
He is an Iranian Shia cleric and politician who has held senior religious and institutional roles in Iran.
When was Alireza Arafi born?
He was born in 1959.
Where is Alireza Arafi from?
He was born in Meybod, in Iran’s Yazd Province.
What positions has he held?
He has served on the Guardian Council, the Assembly of Experts, as head of Iran’s seminaries, and as Friday Prayer Imam of Qom.
What is his religious rank?
He is described in sources as an ayatollah.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alireza_Arafi
    Supports: Birth year, cleric/politician role, head of seminaries since 2016, Friday Prayer Imam of Qom since 2015, and later leadership-council reporting.
  2. Biyografiler — https://www.biyografiler.com/en/biography/alireza-arafi
    Supports: Iranian cleric, Islamic scholar, and senior religious administrator; appointed to interim leadership council in 2026.
  3. Middle East Institute — https://www.middleeastinstitute.org/publication/islamic-republics-next-generation-leaders-profile-alireza-arafi/
    Supports: Ayatollah title, scholarly background, and description of his expertise.
  4. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/alireza-arafi-appointed-irans-leadership-council-isna-reports-2026-03-01/
    Supports: Appointment to Iran's Leadership Council in 2026.
  5. Al Jazeera — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/1/iran-to-form-interim-council-to-oversee-transition-after-khameneis-killing
    Supports: Interim council reporting and confirmation of his role in the provisional leadership body.