EU offers condolences over Raisi’s death

Lebanon and Syria on Monday announced three days of national mourning for the Iranian president and foreign minister, who were killed in a helicopter crash overnight near the Azerbaijan border.

Iran enjoys sway in both countries, backing the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon and supporting Syria's government and security forces stay in power throughout more than a decade of war.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am about this incident that happened. Especially that the foreign minister had become a friend," Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib told reporters on Monday.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, as well as other Lebanese officials and Hezbollah, offered their condolences for the deaths.

“Mr. Mokhber will manage the executive power in line with Article 131 of the Constitution and will coordinate with the heads of legislative and judicial branches to elect a new president within fifty days,” stated Ali Khamenei in a message of condolence. The swift transition underlines the regime's intent to maintain a firm grip on power amidst potential instability.

At 68, Mokhber, who has historically maintained a low profile, is stepping into the limelight under controversial circumstances. His tenure as the head of the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order (EIKO), and former chairman of the board at Sina Bank, has been marked by ambitions overshadowed by inefficiency and opacity, particularly noted during Iran's struggle to produce a COVID-19 vaccine. Promises of widespread vaccine availability were unfulfilled, raising questions about the allocation of resources and government accountability.

EIKO is an extensive tax-exempt, "charitable" business conglomerate controlled by Khamenei's office, which has its tentacles on a range of sectors in Iran's economy.

Despite the controversies, Mokhber's academic credentials include a doctorate in international law and he has been a member of Iran’s Expediency Council since 2022. His past inclusion and subsequent removal from the European Union's sanctions list for alleged involvement in nuclear or ballistic missile activities adds a layer of international scrutiny to his new role as acting president.

Amidst the leadership upheaval, Ali Bahadori Jahromi, the government spokesman, revealed another significant appointment. Ali Bagheri Kani, previously a political deputy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a former Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, has been named head of the government's Foreign Relations Committee.

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Kani, known for his role in the September 2023 prisoner release deal with the United States, represents a continuity of Iran's hardline stance in its international negotiations.

The death of former foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was an opportunity for Mr. Khamenei to appoint a more seasoned and "moderate" figure to try to find some common ground with the United States over its controversial nuclear program and regional issues.

As Iran observes five days of national mourning declared by Khamenei, the recent events not only cast a shadow over Iran's internal governance but also signal potential shifts in its foreign policy approach under new leadership fraught with challenges and skepticism.

In an interview with state TV, he said the sanctions compromise Iran's access to modern aviation facilities, thus implicating the US in the Sunday chopper crash in northwestern Iran killing Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

"One of the culprits behind yesterday’s tragedy is the United States, because of its sanctions that bar Iran from procuring essential aviation parts," Zarif asserted during the interview.

His statement comes amid the ongoing geopolitical tension where Iran has increasingly aligned itself with Russia and China, raising questions about its continued reliance on outdated American helicopters like the Bell 212.

The Bell 212, a civilian adaptation of the Vietnam War-era UH-1N "Twin Huey," crashed in heavy fog while traversing mountainous terrain. Developed in the late 1960s for the Canadian military and introduced in 1971, this model was designed to offer enhanced carrying capacity with its dual turboshaft engines.

However, in spite of sanctions, Iran continues to manufacture and supply its own armed forces and proxies around the region, in addition to Russia, with state of the art missiles and drones. Armed groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and Iran’s own Quds Forces boast long range high-tech weaponry.

World leaders have extended their condolences following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, China's President Xi Jinping, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and Syrian President Bashar Assad were among the first to send messages.

Putin praised the late Iranian President for his invaluable contribution to strengthening Russia-Iran relations.

Describing Raisi as a "valuable colleague and brother," Erdogan said on social media platform X, "As a colleague who personally witnessed his efforts for the peace of the Iranian people and our region during his time in power, I remember Mr. Raisi with respect and gratitude."

According to Article 131 of Iran's constitution, in the event of the death or incapacitation of the president, specific procedures are set in motion to ensure interim continuity of leadership of the current administration until a new election is held.

As per the constitutional provision, if the president is unable to fulfill their duties, the first vice president assumes the role of president. Currently, Mohammad Mokhber holds the position of first vice president in Iran.

However, all constitutional provisions legally and in practice hinge on the approval of the Supreme Leader, who can determine if Mokhber can simply assume the duties of President by himself, or a council should be appointed, which would include the first vice president.

Theoretically, Ali Khamenei can also decide that having just one year left to the next presidential elections, perhaps no quick election is needed and either Mokhber or a council can finish Raisi's four-year term and hold elections on schedule in June 2025.

Mokhber, a close confidant of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, holds a prominent position in Iran's economic landscape as the former leader of the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order (EIKO).

This conglomerate wields significant influence across various sectors of the Iranian economy, including energy, telecommunications, and financial services, with its operations overseen by the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran.

As first vice president, Mokhber was also Raisi's point man on economic matters, and shares the blame for chaos in the past 33 months, as the Iranian currency lost 50% of its value. He also stands accused of corruption in the labyrinth of rumors and public opinion, shaped by tidbits of leaks within a controlled media environment.

Article 131, however, outlines the formation of a Council tasked with arranging for a new presidential election within a maximum period of 50 days.

This Council comprises the speaker of parliament, the chief justice, and the first deputy of the President.

The Council's responsibility is to ensure a smooth transition of power and the continuation of governance during this interim period.

In 2021, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Mokhber and EIKO, citing their involvement in human rights violations and the suppression of dissent within Iran.
"EIKO has systematically violated the rights of dissidents by confiscating land and property from opponents of the regime, including political opponents, religious minorities, and exiled Iranians, while, according to its leader Mohammad Mokhber, being tasked by the Supreme Leader to implement a 'resistance economy,'" emphasized the US Treasury in a statement issued in January 2021.

Mokhber's continued prominence within Iran's economic and political spheres and current appointment as first vice-president reflects his loyalty to the Supreme Leader's agenda.

This possibly solidifies his position as a useful figure in Iran's political landscape, potentially positioning him as the next interim Iranian President depending on Supreme Leader Khamenei's decision.