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Following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Mohammad Mokhber, 68, is set to become interim president based on the country’s constitution. Here are some essential facts about Mokhber:
- Interim Presidential Role: As interim president, Mokhber will serve on a three-person council with the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary. This council is tasked with organizing a new presidential election within 50 days of Raisi’s death.
- Close Ties to Supreme Leader: Born on September 1, 1955, Mokhber is seen as closely allied with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority in Iran. Mokhber has been first vice president since Raisi’s election in 2021.
- Involvement in Arms Agreements: Mokhber was part of a delegation that visited Moscow in October, where they agreed to supply surface-to-surface missiles and additional drones to Russia’s military, according to sources cited by Reuters. The delegation also included senior officials from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and the Supreme National Security Council.
- Previous Role at Setad: Prior to his vice presidency, Mokhber led Setad, an influential investment fund connected to the supreme leader. Setad, or the Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam, was established by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to manage and sell properties abandoned after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, directing proceeds primarily to charitable causes.
- Sanctions History: In 2010, the European Union sanctioned Mokhber for his alleged involvement in Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile activities but removed him from the list two years later. In 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Setad and 37 affiliated companies.
Mokhber’s rise to the interim presidency places him in a critical position during this turbulent period in Iranian politics, tasked with navigating the country through the transition and organizing the forthcoming presidential election.
