Iran's security chief Ali Larijani said the leadership transition after the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will begin on Sunday.

"An interim leadership council will soon be formed. The president, the head of the judiciary and a jurist from the Guardian Council will assume responsibility until the election of the next leader," said Larijani. He was also an adviser to Khamenei, 86, who was killed in a joint attack on Iran by the United States and Israel on Saturday.

Larijani accused the US and Israel of trying to plunder and break apart Iran and warned "secessionist groups" of a harsh response.

The death of Khamenei after almost 37 years in power raises crucial questions about Iran's future.

According to Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution, a transitional council will be formed to handle state duties until a new supreme leader is elected. It will be composed of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei and a religious leader from the Guardian Council.

The provisional council will work until an 88-member Assembly of Experts chooses a new supreme leader.

Source: www.aljazeera.com