Mohammad Mokhber, who is expected to become Iran’s interim president following the death of Ebrahim Raisi, holds several key positions and has been involved in significant diplomatic and economic initiatives. Here are some key facts about him:
- Interim President Role As per Iran’s constitution, Mokhber, currently the first vice president, will be part of a three-person council responsible for organizing a new presidential election within 50 days of the president’s death.
- Close to Supreme Leader: Mokhber, born on September 1, 1955, shares a close relationship with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, similar to his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi. He assumed the role of first vice president in 2021 when Raisi was elected president.
- Diplomatic Engagements: Mokhber was part of an Iranian delegation that visited Moscow in October, where agreements were reached to supply surface-to-surface missiles and drones to Russia’s military.
- Former Head of Setad: Mokhber previously served as the head of Setad, an investment fund linked to the supreme leader. Setad manages properties and oversees various economic activities.
- Sanctions: In 2010, the European Union imposed sanctions on Mokhber for alleged involvement in nuclear or ballistic missile activities. However, he was later removed from the list in 2012. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Setad and 37 associated companies in 2013.
- Setad’s Establishment: Setad, officially known as Setad Ejraiye Farmane Hazrate Emam, was established under an order issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Its purpose was to manage properties and assets left behind after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and allocate proceeds to charitable causes.
