Mohammad Mokhber: Who is Iran's Interim President

After the death of Ebrahim Raisi, Mohammad Mokhber has been elected as interim president for the next 50 days. 

Despite having led the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order for 16 years, he was not well-known in public circles and was sometimes confused with Mohammad Reza Mokhber Dezfouli, the Secretary of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution.

Mohammad Forzandeh, head of the Mostazafan Foundation, is mentioned as a supporter who facilitated Mohammad Mokhber's rise to prominent positions.

According to Article 131 of the Constitution, Mokhber is required to assume the executive role and collaborate with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to arrange the election of a new president within a maximum of 50 days.

Before the 2021 election, Mokhber was considered a potential presidential candidate.

However, his handling of issues such as the COVID-19 vaccine and his limited public presence and speaking skills diminished his prominence for this role.

Mokhber was born in Dezful and did not have many significant records before the 1979 revolution. 

After the revolution, he was appointed as the CEO of Khuzestan Telecommunication Company and later became the deputy governor of Khuzestan, marking his early administrative roles in the province.

Mokhber's career advanced as he became the vice president of the Mostazafan Foundation and the CEO of the Trade and Transportation Organization. 

His involvement in this organization brought him into the spotlight during the Turkcell and Irancell telecommunications developments in Iran.

In 2007, he was named chairman of the board of directors of Sina Financial and Credit Company, part of the Mostazafan Foundation, where Abdolnaser Hemmati, Ebrahim Raisi's opponent in the 2021 elections, served as CEO.

Despite his leadership at the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order, Mokhber also served as the head of the board of directors of Sina Bank for about ten years.

His connections with some members of Khamenei's office, including Asghar Hejazi, the deputy of the leader's office, reportedly formed during this period.

In 2008, he succeeded Mohammad Javad Eravani at the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order. 

During his introductory meeting, Mokhber emphasized three principles: being Islamic, being revolutionary, and being disciplined. 

He stated that the headquarters should adhere to these principles, focusing solely on serving the people within the framework of the Supreme Leader's directives.

One notable action during his tenure was establishing a new foundation called "Barakat" following Khamenei's recommendations, aimed at economic development in deprived areas.

Since 2010, the Barakat Foundation has aimed to monopolize the pharmaceutical field. 

The Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order previously owned some confiscated pharmaceutical companies. 

In 2011, the Barakat Foundation established "Tadbir New Pharmaceutical Technologies Company" and expanded its reach in the pharmaceutical industry, managing 20 companies under the Barakat Pharmaceutical Foundation, nearing its monopoly goal.

During Mohammad Mokhber's tenure at the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order, he expanded into various sectors, including sports. 

By the 2010s, when foundations became prominent in the economic landscape, Mokhber's name gained public recognition.

Before the 2021 elections, he was even considered a potential presidential candidate.

Mokhber collaborated closely with Hassan Rouhani's administration. 

Akbar Torkan, Secretary of Iran's Free Trade, Industrial and Special Economic Zones Council, mentioned Mokhber's investment in a 3,000-ton steel factory in the Arvand Free Zone. 

Additionally, Mohammad Forouzandeh initiated a rolling company in Arvand, which was set to become operational. 

Mokhber also engaged with regional officials, including a meeting with Oman's Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2015.

However, in recent years, allegations of corruption involving Mokhber's sons have surfaced. 

Notably, there was an issue concerning Sajjad Mokhber's 850 billion Rial ($1.5m) debt to Pasargad Bank. 

Pasargad Bank clarified that the amount was related to capital increase and debt to Nasim Salamat Pasargad Company, with a mission to develop health infrastructure by building 7,000 hospital beds across the country.

Despite being one of the least politically experienced first vice presidents, Mokhber's public appearances and speeches have occasionally made headlines. 

His economic and political influence may allow him to remain active in the political arena and leverage these assets during the interim period of 50 days until a new president is elected.