Mohammad Mokhber

Mohammad Mokhber was born in Dezful, Iran, on 26 June 1955 to a clerical family.{{cite web |title=Who is Mohammad Mokhber, appointed Iran's acting president after a helicopter crash? |date=21 May 2024 |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-mohammad-mokhber-raisi-crash-2cf93c2e6fb11f9c2aff13fed133db41 |work=Associated Press |access-date=21 May 2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520173406/https://apnews.com/article/iran-mohammad-mokhber-raisi-crash-2cf93c2e6fb11f9c2aff13fed133db41 |url-status=live }} He possesses two doctoral degrees, including a doctorate academic paper (and an MA) in international law; he reportedly has a doctorate degree in management and economic development planning.{{cite news | url= https://snn.ir/fa/news/868653/%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88%DB%8C%DA%98%D9%87-%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D8%A8%D9%84%D9%88%DA%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%AF%D9%81%D8%AA%DA%AF%D9%88-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1 |publisher=Student News Network |date=14 August 2020 |access-date=14 August 2020 |title=Biography: Mohammad Mokhber |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221116171050/https://www.barkhat.news/political/162868782784/biography-mohammad-mokhber-1334 |archive-date=16 November 2022}} He also holds an additional MA in management and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.{{cite web |title=مخبر به ستاد اجرایی فرمان امام میرود |trans-title=Mohamad Mokhber is going to Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order |date= |url=https://ictna.ir/id/010671/ |work=ictna.ir |publisher=Information and Communication Technology News Agency |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=23 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923183027/https://www.ictna.ir/id/010671/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://photokade.com/بیوگرافی-محمد-مخبر/ | title=بیوگرافی محمد مخبر و همسرش از برکت تا دولت | date=20 May 2024 }}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-19 |title=زندگینامه محمد مخبر |url=https://www.jamaran.news/%D9%85%D8%A4%D9%84%D9%81-264-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=پایگاه خبری جماران |language=fa}}

Mansurun Group (~1971-78) -

As a teenager, Mokhber helped lay the groundwork for the Iranian Revolution in his home city of Dezful by joining the Mansurun Group, a guerrilla organization which worked to combat the Pahlavi regime. Through Mansurun, he collaborated with prominent figures in the IRGC and current conservative politicians including Ali and Mohammad Jahanara, Ali Shamkhani, Mohsen Rezaei, Mohammad Forouzandeh, Mohammad Baqer Zulqader and Seyed Ahmed Avai.{{cite web | url=https://www.farsnews.com/amp/8512080097 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713215811/https://www.farsnews.com/amp/8512080097 | archive-date=13 July 2019 | title=خبرگزاری فارس | شرحي درباره گروه منصورون از زبان يكي از اعضا }}

IRGC Medical Officer, Telecoms and Governance (~1980-2000) -

During the Iran-Iraq war, Mokhber became a medical officer with the IRGC in his home town of Dezful. In the 1990s, Mokhber was the CEO of Dezful Telecommunications, then deputy governor of Khuzestan Province.{{cite web |title=Mohammad Mokhber: First Vice President of Iran |date= |url=https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/mohammad-mokhber-first-vice-president-of-iran |work=United Against Nuclear Iran |publisher=American Coalition Against Nuclear Iran |access-date=20 May 2024 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519232025/https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/mohammad-mokhber-first-vice-president-of-iran |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.independentpersian.com/node/168276/%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%8C%C2%A0%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%E2%80%8C%D8%AF%D9%87%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%E2%80%8C%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%8C%C2%A0%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA-%D9%81%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%B2-%D8%B4%D8%AF | title=محمد مخبر، سازمان‌دهنده تاریک‌خانه مالی بیت رهبری، معاون اول دولت فسادستیز شد }}

Mostazafan Foundation (~2000-07) -

In the early 2000s Mokhber's influence expanded considerably when he became Vice President of Mostazafan Foundation, the second largest commercial enterprise in Iran behind the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company and biggest holding company in the Middle East.{{Cite web |last=مستضعفان |first=بنیاد |title=تاریخچه |url=https://www.bonyad.net/fa/bonyad/history-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AE%DA%86%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AF |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=بنیاد مستضعفان |language=fa}} He was additionally made CEO of the foundation's Trade and Transport organization{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/58092745 | title=کابینه رئیسی؛ محمد مخبر معاون اول رئیس جمهور کیست؟ | newspaper=BBC News فارسی }} and placed on the board of two entities apparently linked to the foundation: Sina Bank, 84% of which is owned by Mostazafan,{{Cite web|url=https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/NK-Yztz4YNSuQR9NDe7LN6ejA/|title=Sina Bank - OpenSanctions|date=28 June 2024 }} and MTN Irancell. While Iranian corporate records are not available to substantiate MTN Irancell's true ownership, a lawsuit filed by Turkcell in 2004 alleges 51% of the company is owned by Mostazafan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/mohammad-mokhber-first-vice-president-of-iran|title=Mohammad Mokhber: Interim President of Iran | UANI}}{{cite news | url=https://jp.reuters.com/article/idUSL3E8HE6J7/ | title=SPECIAL REPORT-How an African telecom allegedly bribed its way into Iran | newspaper=Reuters | date=15 June 2012 }} Both Sina Bank and MTN Irancell were involved in international scandals concerning activities that took place during Mokhber's tenure, which contributed to sanctions of Mokhber, Sina Bank and Mostazafan (see Corruption and Abuse of Power, and Sanctions).

Sina Bank -

As chairperson of Sina Bank's board, Mokhber oversaw its financing of Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs. This led directly to EU sanctions against both Mokhber and Sina Bank in 2010. In that same year, the U.S. also designated Sina Bank as an Iranian government-owned organization.{{cite web | url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/4432427/%25D8%25A2%25D9%2585%25D8%25B1%25DB%258C%25DA%25A9%25D8%25A7-%25D8%25AA%25D8%25AD%25D8%25B1%25DB%258C%25D9%2585-%25D9%2587%25D8%25A7%25DB%258C-%25D8%25AC%25D8%25AF%25DB%258C%25D8%25AF%25DB%258C-%25D8%25B1%25D8%25A7-%25D8%25B9%25D9%2584%25DB%258C%25D9%2587-%25D8%25A7%25DB%258C%25D8%25B1%25D8%25A7%25D9%2586-%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B9%25D9%2584%25D8%25A7%25D9%2585-%25DA%25A9%25D8%25B1%25D8%25AF | title=آمریکا تحریم‌های جدیدی را علیه ایران اعلام کرد | date=16 October 2018 }}{{cite web | url=https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/tg811 | title=Treasury Identifies 21 Entities Determined to be Owned or Controlled by the Government of Iran Treasury Exposes Iran's Foreign Trade Network,Identifies Entities Operating in Belarus, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan and Luxembourg | date=24 June 2024 }} In 2018 the U.S. Department of Treasury also sanctioned Sina Bank (see Sanctions).

Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order (EIKO), Head of Executive Staff (2007–21) -

On 16 July 2007, Mokhber was appointed head of the EIKO by Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Mokhber's appointment put him at the head of a powerful conglomerate which controls over $95 billion in assets built on "the systematic seizure of thousands of properties belonging to ordinary Iranians," according to Reuters.{{cite news | url=https://jp.reuters.com/article/idUSL3N0IP34Z/ | title=SPECIAL REPORT-Khamenei's conglomerate thrived as sanctions squeezed Iran | newspaper=Reuters | date=12 November 2013 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/mohammad-mokhber-interim-president-of-iran|title=Mohammad Mokhber: Interim President of Iran | UANI}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/iran/#article/part1|title=Reuters Investigates - Assets of the Ayatollah|website=Reuters }}

Under his leadership, it executed a number of privatization efforts and played an important role in Iran's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after Mokhber became EIKO's leader, it established the Barakat Foundation and its subsidiary, the Barakat Pharmaceutical Group. Under Mokhber's EIKO leadership, the Barakat Medical complex promised to develop, manufacture, and deliver 120 million doses of vaccine for $1 billion. It took the money, but only produced 5 million doses (see Corruption and Abuse of Power).{{cite news | url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/31459742.html | title=مؤسسه برکت "پول ۱۲۰ میلیون واکسن" کرونا را گرفته ولی تاکنون پنج میلیون تحویل داده است | newspaper=رادیو فردا | date=14 September 2021 }} As the leader of EIKO, Mokhber also spearheaded multiple privatization efforts, most notably that of 65 subsidiaries of the EIKO and Barakat.{{cite web | url=https://khorasannews.com/Newspaper/MobileBlock?NewspaperBlockID=605551 | title=روزنامه خراسان }} In 2019 the U.S. sanctioned Mokhber, EIKO, and its subsidiaries (see Sanctions).

First Vice President of Iran and Member of the Expediency Council (2021–24) -

On 8 August 2021, President Ebrahim Raisi appointed Mokhber first vice president of Iran.{{cite web |title= Ayatollah Raisi appoints Dr Mohammad Mokhber as 1st VP |url= https://irangov.ir/detail/368346 |date= 8 August 2021 |publisher= Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran |access-date= 20 May 2024 |archive-date= 16 November 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221116172552/https://irangov.ir/detail/368346 |url-status= live }} He is the seventh person to hold the office. Mokhber was the first person selected by former president Ebrahim Raisi after he took office in early August 2021. During his tenure as first Vice President, Mokhber was also appointed to Iran's Expediency Discernment Council, an advisory body to the supreme leader created by Khomenei in 1988.

These appointments placed him in control of multiple facets of the Iranian economy, such as the development of a strategic industrial plan and the promotion of domestic production, and at least one large privatization effort.{{Cite web|url=https://iranfreedom.net/%d9%85%d8%ad%d9%85%d8%af-%d9%85%d8%ae%d8%a8%d8%b1-%d9%88-%d8%a7%d9%85%d9%be%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%aa%d9%88%d8%b1%db%8c-%d8%b9%d8%b8%db%8c%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%82%d8%aa%d8%b5%d8%a7%d8%af%db%8c-%d8%ae%d8%a7%d9%85/|title=محمد مخبر و امپراتوری عظیم اقتصادی خامنه ای!|date=10 August 2021}} In January 2023 the expediency discernment council placed him at the head of a seven-man commission tasked with managing the sale of government properties worth approximately $275 million.{{cite news | url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/32243802.html | title=دولت ایران با تایید خامنه‌ای و با هدف "جبران کسری بودجه" اموال خود را می‌فروشد | newspaper=رادیو فردا | date=28 January 2023 | last1=فردا | first1=رادیو }}{{cite web | url=https://www.iranintl.com/202301284048 | title=هشدارها درباره "تاراج اموال عمومی" و "آپارتاید اقتصادی" با مصوبه محرمانه فروش اموال دولت }} This commission has incurred allegations of corruption, and generated widespread alarm due to Iran's history of opaque privatization efforts which benefit the security establishment and powerful elites (see Corruption and Abuse of Power).{{cite web | url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/6970344.html | title=دستمزد ۵ هزار میلیارد تومانی سهم "مولدسازان" از حراج اموال عمومی | date=20 February 2023 }}

In addition to economic activities, as first vice president, Mokhber was responsible for the implementation of the Supreme Leader's domestic and foreign policy priorities and conducted diplomatic meetings with public and military officials throughout the region, notably commanders from the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces.{{cite news | url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/31096238.html | title=ستاد اجرایی فرمان امام؛ قلک نظام و کارگزار فشار بر زندانیان و اقلیت‌ها | newspaper=رادیو فردا | date=10 August 2021 | last1=نجدی | first1=یوحنا }}{{cite web | url=https://russia.mfa.gov.ir/portal/newsview/695761 | title=دکتر محمد مخبر در نشست مشترک هیات‌های عالی رتبه ایران و روسیه که در حاشیه دومین مجمع اقتصادی خزر برگزار شد، گفت: ایران و روسیه از روابط خوب و رو به رش }}{{Cite web |last=ایران |first=اسپوتنیک |date=2023-10-26 |title=مخبر: هدف سیاست خارجی ایران ایجاد نظم نوین جهانی است |url=https://spnfa.ir/20231026/%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D9%87%D8%AF%D9%81-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%85-%D9%86%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA-18338814.html |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=اسپوتنیک ایران |language=fa}}

{{Main|Government of Mohammad Mokhber (May 2024–July 2024)}}

On 19 May 2024, after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Mokhber assumed the role of Acting President of Iran,[https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/who-is-mohammad-mokhber-irans-interim-president-2024-05-20/ Who was Mohammad Mokhber, the man set to become Iran's interim president?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520174626/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/who-is-mohammad-mokhber-irans-interim-president-2024-05-20/ |date=20 May 2024 }} Reuters. Retrieved 20 May 2024. and was confirmed in his position by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on 20 May, until new presidential elections are held.{{Cite web |title=Iran's president, foreign minister and others found dead at helicopter crash site |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-426c6f4ae2dd1f0801c73875bb696f48 |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Associated Press |date=20 May 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520030612/https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-426c6f4ae2dd1f0801c73875bb696f48 |url-status=live }} Mokhber attended Raisi's funeral in Tehran on 22 May.{{Cite news |date=22 May 2024 |title=Iran's supreme leader presides over funeral for president and others killed in helicopter crash |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-raisi-helicopter-crash-funerals-2a66914de4e15c5033fcd688cf262275 |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Associated Press }} He oversaw a scheduled cabinet meeting, in which he announced about the crash at the end of the meeting, according to the government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi.{{Cite news |last=Fassihi |first=Farnaz |date=2024-05-25 |title=Calls, Search Parties, Drones: 17 Hours to Find Iran's President |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/25/world/middleeast/iran-raisi-helicopter-crash.html |access-date=2024-05-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

As president, Mokhber made his first public address on 27 May at the meeting of the new Islamic Consultative Assembly which was convened following the 2024 Iranian legislative election, during which he praised Raisi's presidency.{{Cite news |last=Karimi |first=Nasser |date=2024-05-27 |title=Iran's acting president addresses new parliament after helicopter crash killing president, others |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-helicopter-crash-parliament-presidential-election-0b1e01090a80ee478c59c7973ec5c086 |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=Associated Press |language=en-US }}

MTN Irancell -

In 2003, Mokhber played a pivotal role in convincing the parliament to pass a bill establishing MTN Irancell, Iran's second largest telecommunications company, as a joint venture between the South African MTN group and an Iranian partner, Kowsar Sign Paniz. Mokhber is alleged to have leveraged his position in Mostazafan and Sina Bank to help the MTN joint venture obtain the $31.6 billion contract on the condition that the MTN joint venture assist the Iranian government.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/business/2012/06/120607_l03_irancell_us_sanctions | title=شرکت تلفن همراه ایرانسل 'تحریم تجاری آمریکا را شکست' | date=7 June 2012 }} This assistance included the acquisition of military equipment prohibited under the UN arms embargo at the time.{{cite web | url=https://www.sipri.org/databases/embargoes/un_arms_embargoes/iran | title=UN arms embargo on Iran | SIPRI | date=25 March 2024 }} It also allegedly included agreements that the MTN joint venture would use its influence to sway South Africa's vote on Iran's nuclear program with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and would facilitate funding for internationally designated terrorist organizations including Hezbollah and the IRGC.{{cite news | url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/o2_iran_majles_hosyni/2098914.html | title=وزير اقتصاد: رقیب سپاه در خرید سهام مخابرات به درخواست نهاد امنيتی حذف شد | newspaper=رادیو فردا | date=13 July 2010 }}

Allegations of corruption in the contract award process resulted in two international lawsuits filed in following years, detailed below. The first lawsuit was filed in 2004 by Turkcell, a competitor for the award. It alleged that MTN had offered bribes to secure the contract.{{cite web | url=https://www.balatarin.com/permlink/2012/3/31/2981282 | title=اتهامات شرکت " ترک سل " علیه ایران | date=31 March 2012 }} Although the lawsuit eventually turned in favor of Irancell, it brought about the arrest in 2019 of Pretoria's former ambassador to Iran on charges that they accepted a bribe in exchange for support of MTN's receipt of the contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSJ8N1YA00N/|title=MTN Irancell CEO to retire, new boss appointed | Reuters|website=Reuters }} Fallout from the arrest also prompted the early retirement of the CEO of MTN Irancell, Ali-Reza Ghalambor Dezfouli.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/mtn-irancell-idUSL5N20G1W5/|title=South Africa's MTN says chief of Iranian associate to retire | Reuters|website=Reuters }} A later lawsuit filed in 2021 by the United States linked MTN Irancell to the funding and arming of terrorist groups, directly contributing to American casualties between 2011 and 2016.

COVIran Barakat Vaccine -

Under Mokhber's leadership at EIKO, its subsidiary company the Barakat Pharmaceutical Group promised to develop, manufacture and deliver 120 million doses of a domestic COVID-19 vaccine, COVIran Barakat, in exchange for $1 billion. The conglomerate took the money, but only produced ~5 million doses. Each dose is reported to have been again sold to the government of Iran, who had already paid US$1 billion, for 200,000 tomans per dose.{{cite web | url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iranian-vaccine-price-9-times-more-than-other-vaccines-in-market/6588903.html | title=واکسن ایرانی ۹ برابر قیمت واکسن جهانی تمام شده است | date=25 May 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.iranintl.com/202208225442 | title=گزارش واشینگتن‌پست درباره تخلفات گسترده در تولید واکسن برکت }} According to an official report by the Iranian Ministry of Health, less than 10% of the total vaccines injected in the country were domestic.{{cite web | url=https://iran-tc.com/2021/08/21/جرم-گزارش-دروغ-مخبر-دزفولی-به-رهبری-چیس/ | title=جرم گزارش دروغ مخبر دزفولی به رهبری چیست؟ سیدعلی مجتهدزاده (وکیل) | date=21 August 2021 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.isna.ir/news/1400051208485/%D9%87%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D9%84-%D9%88%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B3%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AE%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B2-%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%86%D8%B1%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA | title=هنوز کل واکسن‌های تولید داخلی به یک میلیون دز هم نرسیده است | date=3 August 2021 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.imna.ir/news/518763/%D8%A2%D8%AE%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D9%81%DA%A9%DB%8C%DA%A9%DB%8C-%D9%88%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%DB%B1%DB%B0-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%88%D8%B1 | title=آخرین آمار تفکیکی واکسیناسیون کرونا ایران ۱۰ شهریور | date=September 2021 }}

Insider Trading -

While undertaking his duties as first vice president, Mokhber signed a letter on 17 May 2023 which contained critical information about an increase in the petrochemical feed rate from 5,000 to 7,000 tomans. This information should have been made public immediately. Instead, it was kept secret for more than 50 days, during which time shareholders close to Mokhber sold stocks and related assets. The public announcement on 6 July caused a significant sell-off in the stock market, leading to a loss of trust among small shareholders and a substantial drop in the stock market index. Senior capital market expert Mehdi Rozbahani criticized the lack of transparency and the misuse of information, which enabled a small group of individuals to benefit at the expense of ordinary investors.{{cite web | url=https://www.mardomsalari.ir/news/198240/%25D9%25BE%25D8%25B4%25D8%25AA-%25D9%25BE%25D8%25B1%25D8%25AF%25D9%2587-%25D8%25B1%25D8%25A7%25D9%2586%25D8%25AA-%25D8%25A8%25D8%25B2%25D8%25B1%25DA%25AF-%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B7%25D9%2584%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B9%25D8%25A7%25D8%25AA%25DB%258C-%25D8%25A8%25D9%2588%25D8%25B1 | title=پشت پرده رانت بزرگ اطلاعاتی در بورس و نامه محمد مخبر چه بود؟ | date=28 June 2023 }}

Alleged Corruption Scheme in Iran's Government Sales -

A letter written by Ahmad Tavakkoli in 2023 acknowledged that Mokhber and a team of six other people were appointed to direct a new privatization plan, the stated purpose of which was to generate income for the Iranian government from "unused or low-productivity public assets."https://hmtp.ir/1402/06/%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B9%D9%87-%D8%AD%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%87-%DB%B5%DB%B4%DB%B0%DB%B0-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}{{cite web | url=https://ettelaat.com/fa/news/15531/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%DB%B7-%D9%85%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%87-%DB%B3%DB%B5%DB%B0-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%85 | title=این ۷ مدیر دولتی برای هر جلسه ۳۵۰ میلیون تومان دستمزد می‌گیرند؟ | date=15 September 2023 }} According to the letter, the seven-person team would collect a sales fee of up to 5%.{{cite web | url=https://www.independentpersian.com/node/358171/%25D8%25B3%25DB%258C%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B3%25DB%258C-%25D9%2588-%25D8%25A7%25D8%25AC%25D8%25AA%25D9%2585%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B9%25DB%258C/%25D8%25A7%25D9%2581%25D8%25B4%25D8%25A7%25DB%258C-%25D8%25AF%25D8%25B3%25D8%25AA%25D9%2585%25D8%25B2%25D8%25AF%25D9%2587%25D8%25A7%25DB%258C-%25D9%2586%25D8%25AC%25D9%2588%25D9%2585%25DB%258C-%25D9%2587%25DB%258C%25D8%25A6%25D8%25AA-%25D9%2588%25D8%25A7%25DA%25AF%25D8%25B0%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B1%25DB%258C-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2585%25D9%2588%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584-%25D8%25AF%25D9%2588%25D9%2584%25D8%25AA-%25D8%25AF%25D8%25B1-%25D8%25B7%25D8%25B1%25D8%25AD-%25D9%2585%25D9%2588%25D9%2584%25D8%25AF%25D8%25B3%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B2%25DB%258C | title=افشای دستمزدهای نجومی هیئت واگذاری اموال دولت در طرح مولدسازی }} From the sale of 108 thousand billion tomans of government property, MOkhber and his team of managers could turn a profit of 5400 billion tomans.{{cite news | url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/32597556.html | title=مولدسازی؛ "از تأمین هزینه به‌روش معتادان تا لباس قانون بر تن فساد" | newspaper=رادیو فردا | date=18 September 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1813564/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B4%D8%A7%DA%AF%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%88%DA%A9%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AD%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%87-%DA%86%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%A6%D8%AA | title=افشاگری احمد توکلی از حق الزحمه چند هزار میلیاردی برای هیئت ۷ نفره مولدسازی! /دولت فاتحه خانه دار شدن مردم را باید بخواند اگر | date=15 September 2023 }}

Violent Dispersal of a Peaceful Protest -

In an incident recorded by a civilian bystander in late 2023, Mokhber's bodyguards resorted to firing shots to disperse a peaceful protest in his presence in Ahvaz, Iran.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CX-iKzs_jM | title=حمله خونین مردم به محمد مخبر/شعار اهوازی ها به محمد مخبر معاون اول رئیس جمهور که باعث تیراندازی شد!! | website=YouTube | date=27 November 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsU2yHLpsWA | title=بی‌شـرف! استقبال از مخبر معاون رئیسی در آبفای اهواز و شلیک ماموران - #news #shortsclip #shortvideo | website=YouTube | date=22 November 2023 }}

Sale and Distribution of Military Weapons -

As vice president, Mokhber has helped facilitate Iran's drone sales to Russia and to non-state actors, and is a principal player in finding customers for Iranian arms. In October 2022, he was sent to Moscow along with senior IRGC officials and a Supreme National Security Council official to finalize an agreement to send Shahed drones and surface-to-surface missiles to Russia to support its invasion of Ukraine.{{cite news |title=Iran agrees to supply missiles as well as drones to Russia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/18/iran-agrees-to-supply-missiles-as-well-as-drones-to-russia |work=The Guardian |date=18 October 2022 |access-date=19 May 2024 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114201656/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/18/iran-agrees-to-supply-missiles-as-well-as-drones-to-russia |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://parsi.euronews.com/2022/10/18/iran-agrees-ship-missiles-more-drones-russia-defying-west-sources | title=رویترز: ایران به روسیه موشک و پهپادهای بیشتری می‌دهد؛ پنتاگون: اطلاعاتی برای تایید این گزارش نداریم | date=18 October 2022 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/exclusive-iran-agrees-ship-missiles-more-drones-russia-defying-west-sources-2022-10-18/|title=Iran agrees to ship missiles, more drones to Russia | Reuters|website=Reuters }}{{Cite web|url=https://iranwire.com/fa/special-features/114713-%D8%A8%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%84-%DA%A9%D9%86%D9%86%D8%AF/|title=بلندگوهای نفرت‌پراکنی؛ محمد مخبر: گرانی به هر حال هست، مردم تحمل کنند}}

Ali-Reza Mokhber, Mohammad Mokhber's brother, is the current CEO of Khuzestan Steel Factory.{{Cite web|url=https://felezatonline.ir/%d9%81%d8%b9%d8%a7%d9%84%db%8c%d8%aa-%db%b3%db%b0-%d8%af%d8%b3%d8%aa%da%af%d8%a7%d9%87-%d8%ba%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b1%da%af%db%8c%d8%b1-%d8%af%d8%b1-%d8%b4%d8%b1%da%a9%d8%aa-%d9%81%d9%88%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%af/|title=نصب ۳۰ دستگاه غبارگیر در شرکت فولاد خوزستان برای کنترل آلاینده‌ها – پایگاه خبری و تحلیلی فلزات‌آنلاین}} He has been criticized for his lavish lifestyle.{{cite web | url=https://aftabnews.ir/fa/news/774603/%25D8%25B9%25DA%25A9%25D8%25B3%257C-%25D8%25AC%25D9%2586%25D8%25AC%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584-%25D8%25B2%25D9%2586%25D8%25AF%25DA%25AF%25DB%258C-%25D9%2584%25D8%25A7%25DA%25A9%25DA%2586%25D8%25B1%25DB%258C-%25D8%25A8%25D8%25B1%25D8%25A7%25D8%25AF%25D8%25B1-%25D9%2585%25D8%25AE%25D8%25A8%25D8%25B1-%25D9%2585%25D8%25B9%25D8%25A7%25D9%2588%25D9%2586-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2588%25D9%2584-%25D8%25B1%25D8%25A6%25DB%258C%25D8%25B3%25DB%258C | title=عکس| جنجال زندگی لاکچری برادر مخبر، معاون اول رئیسی؟ }}{{cite web | url=http://www.dralirezamokhber.blogfa.com/Profile/ | title=پروفایل علیرضا مخبر دزفولی }}

Mokhber's son, Sajjad Mokhber, is the chairperson of at least seven companies. Several of these are subsidiary companies of Pasargad Bank, a Tehran-based investment bank. Sajjad is one of Pasargad Bank's largest debtors.{{Cite web|url=https://iranwire.com/fa/features/105536-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%A9-%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%81%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D9%BE%D8%B3%D8%B1-%D8%A2%D9%82%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9%DB%8C/|title=ماجراهای بانک پاسارگاد، فساد اقتصادی و پسر آقای مخبر؛ عجیب ولی واقعی}}{{cite web | url=https://www.baharnews.ir/news/347949/آقازاده-محمد-مخبر-معاون-اول-رئیسی-متخصص-پیگیری-امور-واردات-خودرو | title=آقازاده‌ محمد مخبر‌معاون‌اول‌رئیسی؛متخصص‌پیگیری‌امور‌واردات خودرو - بهار نیوز | date=19 July 2022 }}

Mokhber's cousin, Mohammad Reza Mokhber, is an Iranian politician and a lecturer at the University of Tehran.{{cite web | url=https://www.irna.ir/news/85212944/%25D9%2585%25D8%25AE%25D8%25A8%25D8%25B1-%25D8%25AF%25D8%25B2%25D9%2581%25D9%2588%25D9%2584%25DB%258C-%25D8%25A8%25D9%2587-%25D8%25B1%25DB%258C%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B3%25D8%25AA-%25D9%2581%25D8%25B1%25D9%2587%25D9%2586%25DA%25AF%25D8%25B3%25D8%25AA%25D8%25A7%25D9%2586-%25D8%25B9%25D9%2584%25D9%2588%25D9%2585-%25D9%2585%25D9%2586%25D8%25B5%25D9%2588%25D8%25A8-%25D8%25B4%25D8%25AF | title=مخبر دزفولی به ریاست فرهنگستان علوم منصوب شد | date=28 August 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://noandish.com/fa/news/164634/رئیس-جدید-فرهنگستان-علوم-انتخاب-شد-محمدرضا-مخبر-کیست | title=رئیس جدید فرهنگستان علوم انتخاب شد: محمدرضا مخبر کیست؟ }} He holds a doctorate from Tehran University and served as the secretary of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution from 2004 to 2017.{{cite web | url=https://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/721409/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B2%D9%81%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA | title=محمدرضا مخبر دزفولی کیست؟ }}

In July 2010, the European Union included Mokhber, then the president of EIKO, in a list of persons and entities it was sanctioning for alleged involvement in the issue of "nuclear or ballistic missiles activities." In 2012, Mokhber was removed from the list.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-setad-companies-specialreport-idUSBRE9AB0NW20131112 Special Report: Khamenei's conglomerate thrived as sanctions squeezed Iran – Mohammad Mokhber] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820140829/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-setad-companies-specialreport-idUSBRE9AB0NW20131112 |date=20 August 2018 }} reuters.com Retrieved 16 August 2020 In 2021, Mokhber was sanctioned by the United States over EIKO's role in violating “the rights of dissidents by confiscating land and property from opponents of the regime” and other human rights abuses.{{Cite web |title=Who is Mohammad Mokhber, Iran's interim president? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/20/who-is-mohammad-mokhber-irans-interim-president |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en-US |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520145121/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/20/who-is-mohammad-mokhber-irans-interim-president |url-status=live }}https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:195:0039:0073:en:PDF {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}} In 2010, the U.S. also designated Sina Bank as “owned or controlled by the Government of Iran.” The U.S. sanctioned Sina Bank in 2018 under counterterrorism authority Executive Order (E.O.) 13224 following revelations that Sina Bank financed the Basij,https://sgp.fas.org/crs/mideast/RS20871.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=August 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://way2pay.ir/118960/|title=بانک‌های ملت، سینا و مهر اقتصاد در فهرست تحریم‌های جدید آمریکا|first=راه|last=پرداخت|date=17 October 2018}} a paramilitary unit within the IRGC and U.S.-designated terrorist organization.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.net/encyclopedia/2016/6/26/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%ac-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%af%d8%b1%d8%b9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ad%d8%b5%d9%8a%d9%86%d8%a9-%d9%84%d9%86%d8%b8%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ab%d9%88%d8%b1%d8%a9|title=الباسيج.. درع تحمي نظام الثورة الإيرانية|website=الجزيرة نت}}

On 24 January 2019 the U.S. Department of the Treasury added Mokhber, EIKO and its subsidiaries to its sanctions list, stating that EIKO controls a sizable portion of Iran's economy, including assets confiscated from political opponents and religious minorities for the benefit of senior Iranian government officials. In November 2020 the U.S. also sanctioned Mostazafan, stating that it expropriates wealth from Iranian citizens.{{cite news | url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/us-sanctions-iran-marvi-mokhber/31045240.html | title=آمریکا رؤسای "ستاد اجرایی فرمان امام" و "آستان قدس رضوی" را تحریم کرد | newspaper=رادیو فردا | date=13 January 2021 | last1=فردا | first1=رادیو }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/NK-CdrBgaq2ThGDrxmccJLY6M/|title=Islamic Revolution Mostazafan Foundation - OpenSanctions|date=28 June 2024 }}{{cite web | url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/top-stories_us-iran-sanction-bonyad-mostazafan-and-minister-intelligence/6098223.html | title=تحریم‌های جدید ایالات متحده علیه رژیم ایران؛ وزیر اطلاعات و رئیس بنیاد مستضعفان تحریم شدند | date=18 November 2020 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.trt.net.tr/persian/yrn/2020/11/19/amrykh-dhh-frd-w-nhd-dygr-yrn-r-thrym-khrd-1530412 | title=آمریکا دهها فرد و نهاد دیگر ایران را تحریم کرد | TRT Persian }}

{{Notelist}}

{{Cite web |date=2024-09-23 |title=Leader appoints Mokhber as advisor |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/504043/Leader-appoints-Mokhber-as-advisor |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}{{Reflist}}

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{{S-bef|before=Ebrahim Raisi}}

{{S-ttl|title=President of Iran
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{{Presidents of Iran}}

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Category:1955 births

Category:First vice presidents of Iran

Category:Iranian bankers

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Category:Shahid Beheshti University alumni