Tehran, Iran – Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi has recently been appointed as Iran’s new defence minister, stepping into this crucial role during a tense period marked by escalating conflict with the United States. On Sunday, the parliament, which has been meeting online since the onset of the war involving the US and Israel against Iran on February 28, officially approved Akhlaghi’s appointment with 237 votes in favor and 15 against.
The previous defence minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, was tragically killed alongside several high-ranking officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, during the initial days of the war. Until now, Majid Ebn-e Reza has filled in temporarily for the role, but he will now serve as Akhlaghi’s deputy.
In his new position, Akhlaghi faces the critical task of rebuilding and expanding Iran’s military capabilities, particularly as the military-industrial sector has been heavily targeted in recent conflicts. His defence initiatives have already gained approval from senior military leaders, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and the parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.
President Pezeshkian made it clear that while Iran does not seek to provoke conflict, it is fully committed to defending its territory against any threats.
Akhlaghi brings over 42 years of experience within the Defence Ministry and related organizations. His areas of expertise include ballistic missiles, solid-fuel propulsion, aerospace technology, and military production. He has held significant positions in various defense organizations that are currently under US and UN sanctions.
He has played a key role in developing several missile systems, particularly the Sejjil and Zolfaghar series, as well as precision weapons. Akhlaghi is also noted for his work on space launch systems associated with Iran’s space endeavors, which have been pivotal in the context of Iran’s conflicts with Israel and the US.
Earlier this month, an official from Iran’s Defence Ministry highlighted that Akhlaghi’s selection underscored the country’s need to enhance both the quality and quantity of its strategic weaponry, particularly missiles and drones. They emphasized that Iran is actively working on improving its offensive capabilities.
Despite claims from the US that it has significantly undermined Iran’s military-industrial strength, Tehran insists it retains robust offensive and defensive capacities, enhanced by its recent combat experiences.
In discussions with military leaders, including the commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Guard, Akhlaghi focused on understanding their needs during and after the ongoing conflict. His immediate goals as defence minister will include accelerating military production, enhancing air defenses, adopting new technologies, improving the welfare of armed forces, and fostering international military partnerships.
In his inaugural remarks, Akhlaghi took a jab at US President Trump, who had threatened to target Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. He expressed confidence in Iran’s preparedness, suggesting that any aggression would lead to significant consequences for US forces in the region. “If they drop one bomb, they will need to consider how many troops they will have to evacuate,” he warned.
