Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed Mohammad Mokhber as interim president amid a period of national mourning for the late president Ebrahim Raisi. (Atta Kenare/AFP)
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced five days of public mourning
for President Ebrahim Raisi following his death in a helicopter crash and
confirmed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim head of the
country’s executive branch.
Iran now has a maximum period of 50 days before a presidential election
must be held to choose Raisi’s successor.
“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to
the dear people of Iran,” Khamenei said in a statement carried by the
official news agency IRNA.
“… Mokhber will manage the executive branch and is obliged to
arrange with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to elect a new
president within a maximum of 50 days,” he said.
According to Article 131 of Iran’s constitution, a council consisting of
the first vice president, the speaker of parliament and the head of the
judiciary must prepare the way for the election of a new president.
Mokhber, like Raisi, is seen as close to Khamenei, who has the last say in
all matters of state. Mokhber became first vice president in 2021 when Raisi
was elected president.
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