Vice President Muhammad Mukhbar Set To Take Over As Acting President: Iranian Media Reports

The Islamic Republic of Iran”s Guardian Council spokesperson Hadi Tahan Nazif announced that the Vice President of Iran Muhammad Mukhbar will take over as interim President with the Supreme Leader”s approval, IRNA, Iran”s official news agency said.

Mokhber assumed the role of first vice president in 2021 and was involved in negotiations with Moscow facilitating agreements to provide surface-to-surface missiles and drones to Russia”s military. He was also subjected to EU sanctions for alleged invovlment in nuclear program of the Iran.

As per the spokesperson a council consisting of the Iranian judiciary chief, parliament speaker, and vice president with the approval of the Supreme leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei will take measures to hold elections within 50 days.

What is the consititutional provision for interim president in Iran?

As per the Article 131 of the Iranian constitution, in case of death, dismissal, resignation, absence or illness that last for 2 months or when his term in the office has ended and a new president has not elected due to some impediments, the vice president shall assume the powers and functions of the president with the approval of the supreme leader.

In case of the death of the vice president or other matters the supreme leader appoints another person in his place.

On sunday, the helicopter carrying President Raisi and his accompanying delegation crashed in the Dizmar forest in East Azarbaijan province. The crash claimed the lives of all onbard including the Iran”s foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

The Supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the the Iranaian nation should not worry as there will not be any disruption to the country”s operation.

The Guardina Council or constitutional council is an appointed 12 member council that wields considerable power and influence in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The council is composed of Isalmic clerics which are directly appointed by the supreme leader and lawyers which are selected by teh head of the judicial system of Iran.