Tehran, Iran – Acting President Mohammad Mokhber delivered his inaugural public address to Iran’s new parliament on Monday, marking his first public appearance since the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of his predecessor and seven others last week.
Mokhber’s speech holds significance as Iran gears up for a presidential election in just under a month, with the potential for the previously behind-the-scenes bureaucrat to emerge as a candidate alongside others.
Meanwhile, Iran’s newly elected hard-line parliament is expected to elect its new speaker on Tuesday.
During his address, Mokhber commended the tenure of the late President Raisi, highlighting Iran’s achievement of surpassing crude oil production to over 3.6 million barrels per day.
This assertion follows Oil Minister Javad Owji’s announcement on Sunday that Iran’s crude oil exports have reached approximately 2 million barrels per day, despite facing Western sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic. Crude oil remains a critical source of hard currency for Iran.
Mokhber further asserted that Iran’s economy exhibited resilience under Raisi’s leadership, even amidst recent military actions in Iraq, Israel, and Pakistan, contrasting it with previous instances of conflict.
He stated, “We have taken military action in three countries. Despite this, the economic indicators have remained stable. Foreign currency exchange rates, inflation, liquidity, and market conditions have shown no significant fluctuations.”
Iran’s national currency, the rial, has experienced volatility since the United States unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, currently standing at approximately 580,000 rials to the dollar.
Mokhber’s address follows the discovery of the late President Ebrahim Raisi’s body, alongside Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and others, following the fatal helicopter crash on May 20 in northwestern Iran.
Iran is poised to hold presidential elections on June 28 to fill the vacancy left by Raisi’s passing. The registration period for candidates is set to commence on Thursday for a five-day duration, with speculation suggesting Mokhber may declare his candidacy.
Monday also marked the commencement of Iran’s newly elected parliament, following March’s election, which saw the lowest voter turnout since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The parliament, comprising over 230 hard-line members out of 290 seats, holds significant influence in Iran’s governance, particularly in decisions regarding the national budget and key legislation.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, aged 85, retains ultimate authority over all state matters in Iran.
