Following the death of President Ibrahim Reisi in a helicopter crash, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced that First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber would carry out presidential duties until the election, in accordance with the relevant article of the constitution.
A message of condolence was posted on Khamenei’s X media platform following the death of President Reisi in a helicopter crash. Khamenei, who wished Reisi mercy, condoled with the Iranian people and announced 5 days of general mourning in the country. Khamenei said: “According to Article 131 of the Constitution, Mr (First Vice President) Mokhber is the head of the executive branch and is responsible for making the necessary arrangements with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to ensure the election of a new president within a maximum of 50 days.”
According to Press TV, Mokhber is expected to be one of the candidates in the new election to be held in 50 days.
Who is Mohammad Mokhber?
Mohammad Mokhber was born in 1955 in Dezful, Khuzestan Province, Iran. He holds a degree in electrical engineering and a doctorate in economic planning and management and international law.
Appointed First Vice President of the Republic of Iran in 2021, he has served as a member of the Iranian Council for the Determination of the Interests of the Order, Managing Director of Sinabank, President of the Foundation for the Implementation of the Commandments of Imam Khomeini, Director of Customs and Transport of the Economic Organisation of the Mustazaflar Foundation, and Deputy Governor of Khuzestan.
In January 2021, the US Treasury Department placed the Centre for the Implementation of Imam Khomeini’s Commandments, which is affiliated with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and headed by Mokhber, and its directors on the sanctions list for “confiscating land and property from opponents of the regime, including political opponents, religious minorities and exiles”.
It was added to the European Union’s sanctions list in July 2010 for the same reason and removed two years later.
