Iran’s President Raisi’s Death Expected to Lead to Appointment of VP Mokhber as Temporary President by Khamenei
If Mohammad Mokhber is appointed, he will lead a temporary council, and elections will take place within 50 days.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several others tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in East Azarbaijan Province in northwest Iran on May 19, as confirmed by Iran’s cabinet on Monday.
The Iranian cabinet assured the nation that the path of service would continue following the spirit of Ayatollah Raisi, a national hero and servant.
Among the casualties were Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of East Azerbaijan province, and other officials and bodyguards as reported by the state-run IRNA news agency.
Experts predict that as per the constitution, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will approve Mohammad Mokhber, Iran’s first vice president, as the temporary president.
If appointed, Mr. Mokhber will lead a temporary council until a new president is elected.
According to Article 131 of Iran’s constitution, if the president is unable to serve, the vice president assumes duties, and a new president must be elected within 50 days.
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Given the circumstances, Mr. Mokhber will need to form a temporary presidential council including himself, the chief of the judiciary, and the parliament speaker to oversee the upcoming elections.
Sham Elections
Experts caution that elections in Iran are often manipulated, with the supreme leader and the “Guardian Council” having significant influence over the outcome.
Replacing Mr. Raisi may pose a challenge as he was well-received among hardliners united under his leadership.
Amid speculations on potential successors, political dynamics within Iran may shift in the coming days.
