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Khamenei’s Confidante Takes Key Role in Iran as Succession Looms
The sudden death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has the world asking who’ll eventually replace him as the Islamic Republic’s de-facto no. 2. For now, that job falls to Mohammad Mokhber, Raisi’s first vice president and deputy since 2021. The question is if he’ll serve as a placeholder president or instead stake out a bigger role for himself. Seen as close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — Iran’s ultimate ruler responsible for making all major decisions — Mokhber became acting president after Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash was confirmed earlier Monday. The 68-year-old will head up a ... (full story)