With the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi in Iran, Mohammad Mokhber, the first vice president, has now become acting president. As a conservative political operative with ties to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mr. Mokhber is tasked with holding elections for a new president within 50 days, as mandated by Mr. Khamenei. Traditionally, vice presidents in Iran have not been viewed as successors to their bosses, but instead have operated behind the scenes within the government.
Mr. Mokhber, who is around 68 years old and hails from Khuzestan Province in southwest Iran, has had a career tied to powerful organizations such as the Mostazafan Foundation, Sina Bank, and Setad, a conglomerate controlled by Ayatollah Khamenei. Notably, he was involved in a sale of Iranian drones and missiles to Russia in 2022. His connections within these financial networks suggest that he has been successful in navigating the official Iranian power structure.
The Mostazafan Foundation, where Mr. Mokhber once worked, is considered a key patronage network for the supreme leader with holdings in various sectors of Iran’s economy. Sina Bank, another organization connected to Mr. Mokhber, has faced sanctions for its involvement in financing Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. These ties to controversial entities raise questions about Mr. Mokhber’s background and agenda as acting president.
Despite his close relationship with Ayatollah Khamenei, Mr. Mokhber will be influenced by a larger group of high-ranking officials during this critical period in Iran’s political landscape. The country is facing challenges on multiple fronts, including issues with its core ideology and recent military failures, such as a failed aerial attack on Israel. Analysts believe that the regime is at a tipping point and is nervous about its future and stability, as indicated by low turnout in recent parliamentary elections.
As Iran prepares for new presidential elections, the bigger question remains about who will be allowed to run in the race and how the regime will navigate these pivotal moments. With Mr. Mokhber as acting president and the backing of Ayatollah Khamenei, the focus will be on the larger group of high-ranking officials and their handling of the country’s political, economic, and military challenges. Ultimately, the future of Iran’s theocracy and its core ideology is at stake during this uncertain period.
