Iran's acting President Mohammad Mokhber delivered his first public speech since the recent helicopter crash that claimed the life of his predecessor and seven others. The speech took place as Iran gears up for a presidential election to fill the vacancy left by the late Ebrahim Raisi in just a month.
Mokhber commended Raisi's tenure, highlighting the increase in Iran's crude oil production to over 3.6 million barrels a day. Despite Western sanctions, Iran's oil exports have reached around 2 million barrels a day. Mokhber also emphasized the stability of Iran's economy under Raisi, even amidst recent military actions in Iraq, Israel, and Pakistan.
The acting President credited the guidance of the supreme leader and the efforts of Raisi for maintaining the country's strength and stability during challenging times. He pointed out that despite external pressures, Iran's economic indicators have remained relatively steady.
However, the Iranian rial has faced significant devaluation, dropping from 32,000 rials to $1 during the 2015 nuclear deal to around 580,000 to $1 following the U.S.' withdrawal from the agreement and regional conflicts involving Iran and its adversaries.
The tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and others has cast a shadow over the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for June 28. Analysts speculate that Mokhber may be among the candidates vying for the presidency.
Iran's newly elected parliament, dominated by hard-liners with over 230 seats out of 290, convened for the first time following a low-turnout election in March. While the parliament's role is secondary to the supreme leader's authority, it holds sway over crucial decisions such as the annual budget and key legislation.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with the final say in state matters, continues to wield significant influence over Iran's political landscape.
