Ayatollah Momen was a jurist member of the Guardians Council. He died at the age of 81 in a Tehran hospital on Thursday after battling brain hemorrhage and respiratory problems for several months.

In a message on Friday, the Leader described Ayatollah Momen as a prominent religious scholar and praised his “loyalty and commitment to social and revolutionary” values, according to the Leader’s website.

Ayatollah Khamenei offered condolences to the bereaved family of the late Ayatollah, the great scholars of Qom seminary, particularly his students and friends, and all the people of Qom. 

The late cleric, who was an influential member of the high-level vetting body, was first appointed to the position by late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, in 1984 and continued to serve in that capacity after Ayatollah Khamenei extended his assignment in 2014.

Ayatollah Momen also served as a member of the Assembly of Experts in all its five terms.