Iran’s Raisi names US-sanctioned Mokhber as first vice-president

By AFP 8 August 2021, 8:05 pm

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Chairman of Iran's Setad foundation, or the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order, Mohammad Mokhber speaks during a press conference to announce the launch of the second and third phases of human trials of a locally made COVID vaccine, in Tehran, on March 15, 2021. (ATTA KENARE/AFP)

Iran’s new ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi has named the chairman of a powerful state-owned foundation sanctioned by the United States as his first vice-president, the president’s official website says.

Mohammad Mokhber, long rumored by local media to be the top pick for the position, has for years headed the foundation known as Setad, or the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s order, in reference to the Islamic Republic’s founder Ruhollah Khomeini.

Mokhber was appointed to the position by the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2007, following a string of official positions at the southwestern province of Khuzestan.