Iran's acting president, Mohammad Mohbar, has delivered his first speech to parliament after the helicopter crash that killed his predecessor, the country's foreign minister and seven other people last Monday, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
Iran is gearing up for presidential elections, which will take place on June 28 and will elect a successor to the late Ebrahim Raisi. Analysts suggest that Mokhber himself may be among the presidential candidates. Iran's new hardline parliament is expected to elect its new speaker tomorrow.
In his speech, Mohber congratulated Raisi on his tenure, noting that Iran's crude oil production, which mainly contributes to the country's hard currency, has risen to more than 3.6 million barrels per day. Oil Minister Javad Ouji said Iran was already exporting about 2 million barrels of oil a day, despite Western sanctions against the country.
Mohber also said that under Raisi, the country's economy has remained stable as Iran has taken military action against Iraq, Israel and Pakistan in recent months.