Who is Mohammad Mokhber, the man set to become Iran’s interim president?

Mohammad Mokhber, aged 68, is set to step into the role of Iran’s interim president, succeeding Ebrahim Raisi following his tragic demise in a helicopter crash.

According to Iran’s constitution, Mokhber will serve as part of a three-person council responsible for organizing a new presidential election within 50 days of Raisi’s passing, alongside the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary.

Born on September 1, 1955, Mokhber shares close ties with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, mirroring the relationship Raisi had with the influential leader. He assumed the position of first vice president in 2021, coinciding with Raisi’s presidency, further solidifying his influence within Iran’s political hierarchy.

Read: Iranian President Raisi, Foreign Minister Killed in Helicopter Crash

Mokhber’s involvement in international affairs includes a significant visit to Moscow in October, where he, along with other Iranian officials, struck agreements to supply surface-to-surface missiles and drones to Russia’s military. His previous role as the head of Setad, an investment fund associated with the supreme leader, has not been without controversy.

In 2010, Mokhber faced sanctions from the European Union for alleged involvement in activities related to nuclear and ballistic missiles, although he was later removed from the list in 2012. Subsequently, in 2013, Setad and its affiliated companies were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department.

Setad, formally known as Setad Ejraiye Farmane Hazrate Emam, was established under the directives of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, aiming to manage properties left unclaimed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and allocate proceeds to charitable endeavors.

Mokhber’s transition to the interim presidency marks a significant milestone in Iran’s political landscape, with implications for both domestic policies and international relations.