Mohammad Mokhber
Mohammad Mokhber | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 26, 1955 Dezful, Iran |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Known for | Acting President of Iran (May–July 2024), First Vice President of Iran (2021–2024), head of Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order (2007–2021) |
Mohammad Mokhber (born 26 June 1955) is an Iranian political figure who has served as an advisor and aide to the Supreme Leader of Iran since September 2024. Since September 2022, he has been a member of the Expediency Discernment Council. Following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in the 2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash on 19 May 2024, Mokhber assumed the role of acting president. He previously held the position of the seventh first vice president from 2021 until 2024.
Mokhber's previous roles include leading the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order committee (EIKO), holding senior executive positions within the Mostazafan Foundation, chairing Sina Bank, serving as deputy governor of Khuzestan Province, and acting as CEO of Dezful Telecommunications. During the Iran–Iraq War, he functioned as a medical officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and was earlier affiliated with the revolutionary Mansurun Group.
His professional history has been shadowed by accusations involving corruption linked to privatization processes, insider trading, human rights violations, and participation in Iran’s nuclear initiatives. These controversies resulted in international sanctions imposed on Mokhber and associated organizations such as Sina Bank and Mostazafan, including secondary sanctions (IRAN-EO13876) that restrict his international travel and financial dealings.
Upon Raisi’s passing, Mokhber, with endorsement from the Supreme Leader, temporarily exercised presidential authority in accordance with the Constitution of Iran. A Temporary Presidential Council was established to manage state affairs and organize new elections conducted on June 28, 2024, followed by a runoff on July 5, 2024.
Masoud Pezeshkian emerged victorious in the runoff and officially assumed the presidency on 28 July 2024.
Early life and education
Born on 26 June 1955 in Dezful, Iran, Mohammad Mokhber hails from a clerical family background. He possesses two doctoral degrees—one in international law and another reportedly focused on management and economic development planning. Additionally, he earned a master's degree in management alongside a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.
Career
Mansurun Group (~1971-78) - During his teenage years, Mokhber became involved with the Mansurun Group, a guerrilla faction opposing the Pahlavi regime based in Dezful. Through this affiliation, he collaborated with prominent IRGC leaders and conservative politicians such as Ali and Mohammad Jahanara, Ali Shamkhani, Mohsen Rezaei, among others.
IRGC Medical Officer, Telecoms and Governance (~1980-2000) - In the course of the Iran-Iraq war, Mokhber served as a medical officer within the IRGC stationed in Dezful. Throughout the 1990s, he advanced to become CEO of Dezful Telecommunications before being appointed deputy governor of Khuzestan Province.
Mostazafan Foundation (~2000-07) - At the start of the 21st century, Mokhber expanded his influence by serving as Vice President of the Mostazafan Foundation, which ranks as Iran's second-largest commercial entity after the National Iranian Oil Company and is considered the largest holding company in the Middle East. He also acted as CEO for its Trade and Transport division while sitting on boards for Sina Bank (majority-owned by Mostazafan at 84%) and MTN Irancell (reportedly 51% owned by Mostazafan). During his tenure, both institutions became embroiled in international controversies resulting in sanctions against Mokhber, Sina Bank, and Mostazafan (refer to Corruption and Abuse of Power, and Sanctions).
Sina Bank - As chairman of Sina Bank's board, Mokhber supervised funding connected to Iran’s ballistic missile projects and nuclear program. This involvement led to European Union sanctions against both him and Sina Bank in 2010. The United States designated Sina Bank as government-owned that same year and imposed additional sanctions in 2018.
Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order (EIKO), Head of Executive Staff (2007–21) - Appointed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on 16 July 2007, Mokhber took charge of EIKO—a powerful conglomerate controlling assets valued at over $95 billion accumulated mainly through extensive property seizures. Under his leadership, EIKO carried out numerous privatizations and played a significant role during Iran's COVID-19 response efforts. The organization established both the Barakat Foundation and Barakat Pharmaceutical Group; although they pledged to manufacture 120 million vaccine doses for $1 billion, only about 5 million doses were ultimately delivered (see Corruption and Abuse of Power). Mokhber also oversaw privatization initiatives involving approximately 65 subsidiaries within EIKO and Barakat. In 2019, U.S. sanctions targeted Mokhber alongside EIKO and its affiliated companies.
First Vice President of Iran and Member of the Expediency Council (2021–24) - On August 8, 2021, President Ebrahim Raisi appointed Mokhber as Iran’s first vice president—the seventh individual to hold this office—and he simultaneously joined the Expediency Discernment Council. These appointments granted him oversight over strategic industrial planning, promotion of domestic production, and major privatization programs. In January 2023, he led a commission responsible for managing government asset sales totaling approximately $275 million; this initiative faced scrutiny amid allegations of corruption linked to opaque privatization benefiting elite groups (see Corruption and Abuse of Power).
In addition to economic responsibilities, as first vice president Mokhber implemented policies set forth by the Supreme Leader both domestically and internationally while engaging diplomatically with regional figures including commanders from Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces.
Acting President of Iran (May 2024–July 2024)
Following the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi on 19 May 2024, Mokhber stepped into the position of Acting President of Iran. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei officially endorsed his interim presidency on 20 May, pending the organization of new elections. Mokhber participated in Raisi’s funeral on 22 May and presided over a cabinet session where he addressed the recent crash. His inaugural public speech occurred on 27 May at the newly convened Islamic Consultative Assembly, during which he commended Raisi’s tenure as president.
Corruption allegations
MTN Irancell - In 2003, Mokhber was instrumental in obtaining parliamentary consent for MTN Irancell, which ranks as Iran’s second-largest telecommunications firm. This joint venture involved South Africa’s MTN Group and the Iranian company Kowsar Sign Paniz. Accusations suggest Mokhber leveraged his positions at Mostazafan and Sina Bank to secure a $31.6 billion contract for MTN, with expectations that the partnership would support governmental initiatives, including procurement of military hardware despite UN sanctions and influencing South Africa’s stance on Iran’s nuclear dossier. Additional claims implicate MTN in channeling funds to terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and the IRGC.
These corruption allegations triggered two international legal actions: a bribery lawsuit initiated by competitor Turkcell in 2004, and a 2021 case associating MTN Irancell with financing terrorist operations resulting in American casualties. The disputes culminated in the 2019 detention of Pretoria’s former ambassador to Iran on bribery charges and led to the premature resignation of MTN Irancell’s CEO, Ali-Reza Ghalambor Dezfouli.
COVIran Barakat Vaccine - During Mokhber’s tenure at EIKO, its subsidiary Barakat Pharmaceutical Group committed to manufacturing 120 million doses of the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine COVIran Barakat at a cost of $1 billion. However, only approximately 5 million doses were delivered. Despite limited output, each dose was sold to the Iranian government at a premium price. Official data reveals that less than 10% of vaccines administered domestically were produced within Iran.
Insider Trading - While serving as first vice president, Mokhber authorized a letter dated 17 May 2023 announcing an increase in petrochemical feedstock prices from 5,000 to 7,000 tomans. This information remained undisclosed for over fifty days during which individuals close to Mokhber engaged in stock sales prior to a public disclosure that triggered a significant market downturn, undermining confidence among retail investors. Analysts condemned this opacity and the exploitation of confidential information.
Alleged Corruption Scheme in Government Sales - A letter from Ahmad Tavakkoli in 2023 exposed that Mokhber headed a seven-member committee overseeing a privatization strategy intended to monetize underperforming public assets. This group reportedly earned commission fees reaching up to 5%, potentially generating profits amounting to 5,400 billion tomans from total transactions valued at 108 trillion tomans.
Violent Dispersal of a Peaceful Protest - In late 2023, video evidence emerged showing Mokhber’s security personnel firing live rounds to break up a peaceful demonstration in Ahvaz during his visit.
Sale and Distribution of Military Weapons - As vice president, Mokhber played a role in facilitating Iran’s transfer of drones to Russia and various non-state entities. In October 2022, he traveled to Moscow alongside senior IRGC and security officials to finalize deals supplying Shahed drones and surface-to-surface missiles that supported Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.
Family
Ali-Reza Mokhber, the sibling of Mohammad Mokhber, serves as the CEO of Khuzestan Steel Factory and has attracted scrutiny due to his extravagant way of living.
Mohammad Mokhber's son, Sajjad Mokhber, leads at least seven enterprises, many of which are subsidiaries linked to Tehran-based Pasargad Bank, where he ranks among the top debt holders.
His cousin, Mohammad Reza Mokhber, is an Iranian political figure and a lecturer at the University of Tehran. He earned his doctorate from Tehran University and acted as secretary of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution between 2004 and 2017.
Sanctions
In July 2010, the European Union imposed sanctions on Mokhber, then serving as president of EIKO, accusing him of involvement in nuclear or ballistic missile programs; these sanctions were lifted in 2012. The United States sanctioned Mokhber in 2021 due to EIKO’s participation in human rights violations, including the seizure of property from regime opponents. Additionally, Sina Bank was designated as state-owned by the U.S. in 2010 and faced sanctions in 2018 under counterterrorism laws after disclosures that it funded the Basij, a paramilitary force within the IRGC classified by the U.S. as a terrorist organization.
On January 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Treasury placed Mokhber, EIKO, and its affiliated companies on its sanctions list, citing EIKO’s dominance over a large segment of Iran’s economy through assets confiscated from political and religious minorities that benefit high-ranking officials. Furthermore, in November 2020, the U.S. sanctioned Mostazafan for appropriating wealth from Iranian citizens.