Iran's First Vice President and Potential Interim Leader
Mohammad Mokhber, born on September 1, 1955, is Iran's first vice president and a close ally of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, Mokhber is expected to become interim president as per the Iranian constitution.
As interim president, Mokhber will be part of a three-person council responsible for organizing a new presidential election within 50 days of Raisi's death. The council also includes the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary.
Mokhber's political career has been closely intertwined with Khamenei. He served as the head of Setad, an investment fund linked to the Supreme Leader, and was sanctioned by the European Union in 2010 for alleged involvement in "nuclear or ballistic missile activities." The sanctions were lifted two years later.
In 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Setad and 37 of its subsidiaries. Setad, established by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, manages properties abandoned after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and channels the proceeds to charity.
Mokhber's visit to Moscow in October 2023, along with senior Iranian officials, resulted in an agreement to supply surface-to-surface missiles and drones to Russia's military. This move highlights his potential role in shaping Iran's foreign policy as interim president.
With his close ties to Khamenei and experience in managing Setad, Mokhber is expected to play a significant role in shaping Iran's political and economic landscape during the interim period and potentially beyond.