Supreme Leader Appoints Mohammad Mokhber as Interim President Following Tragic Helicopter Crash

Mokhber holds two doctorate degrees, one in International Law and another in Management.

Tehran: In a swift response to the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other key officials, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has appointed Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as the interim head of government.

The fatal incident occurred on May 19th, when President Raisi’s helicopter, returning from a dam inauguration near the Azerbaijan border, crashed due to adverse weather conditions. The crash resulted in the deaths of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Tabriz Friday Prayers Imam Ayatollah Al-e Hashem, East Azarbaijan Governor General Malek Rahmati, Raisi’s bodyguard, and the pilot. Iranian authorities confirmed the tragic loss on the morning of May 20th.

Following this devastating event, the crucial presidential position was left vacant. In accordance with Iran’s constitution, the Supreme Leader has designated Mohammad Mokhber, the Vice President, to temporarily assume presidential responsibilities.

As per Article 131 of the Iranian Constitution, in the event of a president’s incapacitation or death, the Vice President assumes presidential duties. Subsequently, a council comprising the Vice President, the Parliament Speaker, and the Judiciary Chief must organize new presidential elections within 50 days.

Who is Mohammad Mokhber?

Mohammad Mokhber, aged 68, is a close ally of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, similar to the late President Raisi. Born in 1955, Mokhber is also a member of the Expediency Discernment Council. He was appointed as the First Vice President by President Raisi immediately after taking office in August 2021.

Mokhber has been involved in significant diplomatic missions, including an October 2023 visit to Moscow, where he played a key role in negotiations to supply missiles and drones to the Russian military. This delegation included senior officials from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and the Supreme National Security Council.

Before his vice-presidential role, Mokhber led Setad, an investment fund associated with the Supreme Leader. He also served as the Chairman of the Board of Sina Bank and as the Deputy Governor of Khuzestan Province. In 2013, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Setad and its 37 subsidiary companies.

Mokhber holds two doctorate degrees, one in International Law and another in Management.

As Iran mourns the loss of its president and top officials, Mohammad Mokhber’s appointment as interim president marks a critical period in the nation’s governance, with the responsibility of organizing new elections and leading the country during this transition.