Ebrahim Raisi dead: Who is Mohammad Mokhber, Iran's likely interim president?

Tehran

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi's death' Who will be the New President Of Iran? Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash has set in motion the talk of succession in the Shia nation's corridors of power. According to the Iranian constitution, in case of president's absence, incapacitation or death while in office, the vice president assumes presidency. In this case, it's Mohammad Mokhber, 69, who is set to assume power.

But Mokhber's elevation to presidential office will be subject to the approval of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Mohammad Mokhber and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei | Reuters

According to Iranian constitution, an election must be arranged in no more than 50 days once the serving president is incapacitated. 

Also read | Iran president Raisi helicopter crash: No sign of life, says state media

Iran was scheduled to hold presidential elections in 2025.

Who is Mohammad Mokhber? New likely Iran president

In 1979, Mokhber was just 24 when Iran's pro-West Shah was overthrown to make way for the present-day quasi-religious political system led by a Supreme Leader. Mokhber, like Raisi, is seen as close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has the last say in all matters of state.

Born on September 1, 1955 in the Dezful region of Khuzestan Province, Iran, Mokhber has a diverse and impactful career trajectory that spans various sectors.

He previously headed the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order (EIKO) and holds high academic degrees.

Mohammad Mokhber was appointed to his current position on August 8, 2021, after the now-deceased President Raisi chose him as his deputy.

Before that, he served as the head of EIKO from July 15, 2007, to August 8, 2021.

He has also held positions as Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Khuzestan Telecommunications Company, Managing Director of Dezful Telecommunications Company, Deputy Minister of Trade and Transport for the Foundation of the Deprived, and Deputy Governor of Khuzestan.

The leading candidate for the presidency holds two doctoral degrees, one in International Law and the other in Management. He also has a Master's degree in Management focusing on systems.

Mohamad Mokhber's recent relevance in Iran's state of affairs

Mokhber was part of a team of Iranian officials who visited Moscow in October and agreed to supply surface-to-surface missiles and more Shahed drones to Russia's military amid the Ukraine war.

Mokhber had previously been head of Setad, an investment fund linked to the supreme leader.

Also watch | Ebrahim Raisi Helicopter Crash: 'No sign of life' at crash site of chopper carrying Iran President

In 2010, the European Union included Mokhber on a list of individuals and entities it was sanctioning for alleged involvement in "nuclear or ballistic missile activities".

Two years later, it removed him from the list.

In 2013, the US Treasury Department added Setad and 37 companies it oversaw to a list of sanctioned entities.

Iran's president now dead: What does it mean?

Shortly after President Raisi's helicopter suffered 'hard landing' on Sunday (May 19), the Supreme Leader Khamenei reassured Iranians that there would be no disruption to the state affairs. 

President Raisi's death assumes significance in the wake of volatile geopolitical climate in West Asia primarily due to war in Gaza that is well in its eighth month now. Tehran has assured support to Palestinian militant groups and also launched a barrage of missile attacks on Israel last month weeks after its embassy in Syria's capital Damascus was destroyed in an alleged Israeli attack. 

For New Delhi, President Raisi has been instrumental in expediting the Chabahar port deal, that was finalised just last week for a 10-year-period, in a major geoeconomics milestone for India for cheaper trade of goods to the countries in central Asia all the way till Russia.