TEHRAN – Mohammad Mokhber, the first vice president of Iran, is set to take charge as interim president as the country has confirmed the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and others in a helicopter crash.
Article 131 of the Iranian law says if a president dies during his tenure, the first VP will take over with the approval of the supreme leader, who has the final say in all matters of the country.
Additionally, a three-member comprising the first vice president, the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary will hold an election for the slot of president within a maximum period of 50 days.
Who is Mohammad Mokhber?
Mokhber, 68, was appointed the Iran’s first vice president by Ayatollah Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi in August 2021.
Mohammad Mokhber, who has been the head of the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order since 2007 appointed by the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, holds a Ph.D. in international law.
He was born in Dezful and has experience in numerous management positions after the victory of the Revolution.
Among his work in the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order, the establishment of the Barakat Foundation, the Ehsan Foundation, and the production of the first Iranian COVID-19 vaccine (CONIRAN BAREKAT).
President Raisi’s Death
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian have lost their lives in a helicopter crash, the country’s ambassador to Pakistan confirmed it in a social media post.
Reza Amiri Moghadam, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan wrote on X, “Utmost dejected & grievously dolorous i have to announce that President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi & FM Hussain Amirabdollahian, embraced Shahadat in consequence to a helicopter crash during a mission to Inaugurate a developmental project with a neighboring country”.
The Iranian President’s helicopter crashed over mountains due to inclement weather on Sunday.
As per the media reports, Iranian President, 63, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and other officials were returning after a visit to the border with Azerbaijan.