New Delhi, March 1 -- Iran is set to establish a temporary leadership council to govern the country following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, senior security official Ali Larijani announced on Sunday, signalling the beginning of a constitutional transition amid escalating regional conflict and mounting military losses.

The interim arrangement, described as a stopgap measure, will operate until Iran's clerical establishment formally selects a new supreme leader - a process that could shape the future direction of the Islamic Republic at one of the most volatile moments in its modern history.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said the country would form an interim leadership body late...