What Happens Next In Iran After President Ebrahim Raisi's Death? Know Who Will Succeed Him
After Raisi became Iran's President in 2021, elections were slated to be held in 2025. However, due to his demise, they can now be expected to take place by early July.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash, which happened on Sunday when the Iranian authorities were on their way back from a visit to northwest Iran, bordering Azerbaijan. According to news agency Reuters, the crash occurred as the helicopter was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog.
Following the demise of the Iranian leader, a question floats about who will succeed the president after the unforeseen incident.
According to Iran's constitution, when a president dies in office or is incapacitated, the first vice president takes over the office, under article 131 of the Islamic Republic's constituition.
The article will now allow Mohammad Mokhber, the first vice president of Iran, to take over with the confirmation of the supreme leader. In Iran, a supreme leader has the final say in all the matters regarding the state.
The President, judiciary, parliament, armed forces, and guardian council, all come under the Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenenei.
However, within the next 50 days, a council comprising the first vice president, the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary must arrange an election to appoint Iran's new president.
In 2021, Raisi was elected Iran's president, and, according to the usual election timetable in the nation, a presidential election was supposed to take place in 2025.
However, in view of Raisi's demise, the election can now be expected to take place by early July, under Iran's constitutional rules.
Who Will Become Iran's Interim President?
Iran's first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, 68, who will likely become the interim president now is close to supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who has the last say in all matters in Iran.
After becoming the interim president, Mokhber, as part of a three-person council, along with the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary, will organise the new presidential election within 50 days of Raisi's death.
Born on September 1, 1955, Mokhber became the first vice president in 2021 when Raisi was elected president.
He was also a part of the team of Iranian officials who visited Moscow in October. During the Moscow visit, they agreed to supply surface-to-surface missiles and more drones to Russia's military, Reuters reported.
An official from the Supreme National Security Council and two senior officials from Iran's Revolutionary Guards were also a part of this team.
Previously, Mokhber had been the head of Setad, which is an investment fund linked to the supreme leader.
The European Union, in 2010, included Mokhber on a list of individuals and entities, while sanctioning for alleged involvement in "nuclear or ballistic missile activities". However, two years later, his name was on the list.
Subsequently, in 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department added Setad along with 37 other companies it managed to a list of sanctioned entities.
Setad Ejraiye Farmane Hazrate Emam, or Setad, is the Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam. It was set up on the order of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic and Khamenei's predecessor.
Setad had ordered its aides to sell and handle properties that were abandoned after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and channel the massive proceeds to charity, Reuters reported.
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