Mohammad Mokhber has been named Iran’s interim President following the tragic death of Raisi in a helicopter accident. Watch the developments unfold.
Following the tragic demise of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, Iran’s constitutional protocol dictates that the first vice president assumes the role of interim president until the upcoming elections, as outlined in Article 131 of the Islamic Republic’s constitution. Thus, Mohammad Mokhber, 68, who serves as Iran’s first vice president, has stepped into this interim role. Mokhber’s appointment was confirmed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ultimate authority in Iranian state matters.
As interim president, Mokhber joins a council alongside the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary to oversee the organization of a new presidential election within 50 days. Despite his relatively low public profile, Mokhber has held significant positions within Iran’s power structure, particularly in charitable foundations known as bonyads, including the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO), which he oversaw.
EIKO, under Mokhber’s leadership, has been recognized for its substantial assets and involvement in various sectors of the Iranian economy. However, it has faced criticism and sanctions from entities like the US Treasury and the European Union for alleged rights violations and its role in Iran’s nuclear program.
In addition to his work with EIKO, Mokhber has a background in banking and telecommunications, and he has been involved in high-profile disputes such as the one between mobile service providers Turkcell and MTN over entering the Iranian market. Reports suggest Mokhber has been instrumental in Iran’s efforts to mitigate the impact of Western sanctions on its oil industry.
Born in Iran’s Khuzestan province to a clerical family, Mokhber served as an officer in the Revolutionary Guard’s medical corps during the Iran-Iraq war. Despite his behind-the-scenes role, Mokhber’s ascent to interim president marks a significant moment in Iranian politics, with implications for both domestic and international affairs.
