Iran announces interim president, declares five-day mourning

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has announced that Mohammad Mokhber will take over as interim president following the death of Ebrahim Raisi.

Ali Khamenei, who wields ultimate power in Iran, confirmed that the first vice president will become acting head of the country’s executive branch on Monday, hours after it was confirmed that Raisi had been killed in a helicopter crash.

The appointment of Mokhber, who became vice president in 2021 when Raisi was elected president and is seen as being close to Khamenei, is in line with the constitution.

“[Mokhber] is obliged to arrange with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to elect a new president within a maximum of 50 days,” Khamenei noted, a requirement also set out by the constitution.

Similarly, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has announced five days of mourning following the death of Raisi.

Ayatollah Khamenei said he offered his condolences “to the dear people of Iran”.

Raisi, 63, had been tipped as a potential successor to the supreme leader.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has condoled Iranian government over Raisi’s death.