Who is Mohammad Mokhber, the next in line as Iran’s interim president?

Let’s now take a closer look at who first vice-president Mohammad Mokhber is, as he’s likely to be appointed as the interim president by Iran’s Supreme Leader, who ultimately has the last say in all matters of state:

Mokhber was elected as first vice-president after the 2021 elections that saw Raisi come to power.

The 68-year-old top diplomat is known for being close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

He will be a part of a three-person council to organise a new presidential election in the next 50 days.

Mokhber visited Moscow in October when Iran agreed to supply surface-to-surface missiles and more drones to Russia’s military.

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”. He was removed two years later.

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

In 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department added the fund and 37 companies it oversaw to a list of sanctioned entities.