DUBAI, United Arab Emirates. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has declared five days of public mourning following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Khamenei also confirmed that First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will serve as interim president until a new leader is elected.
“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” Khamenei stated in an announcement carried by the official news agency IRNA. “Mokhber will manage the executive branch and is obliged to arrange with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to elect a new president within a maximum of 50 days.”
According to Article 131 of Iran’s constitution, a council consisting of the first vice president, the speaker of parliament, and the head of the judiciary is responsible for facilitating the election of a new president. Iran now faces a maximum period of 50 days to hold a presidential election to choose Raisi’s successor.
Mokhber, closely aligned with Khamenei, was appointed first vice president in 2021 following Raisi’s election as president. His interim leadership comes at a critical time as Iran navigates both domestic challenges and complex international relations.
The sudden death of Raisi, who was known for his hard-line stance and significant influence in Iran’s political landscape, has left the nation in a state of shock and uncertainty. As the country enters this period of mourning and transition, all eyes will be on the upcoming election and the potential shift in Iran’s leadership and policies.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
