Iran's parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi as minister of defense
The vote ends months of interim leadership and gives a sanctions-hit defense veteran control of Iran’s military-industrial rebuild, lawmakers said.
- On Sunday, Iran's parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlachi Ketabchi as defense minister with 237 votes in favor out of 277 cast, ending months of interim leadership at the ministry.
- Akhlachi replaces interim leader Majid Ebn al-Reza following the February death of former Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh in a US-Israeli strike that killed senior military commanders.
- Subject to United Nations sanctions since 2007 for alleged ballistic missile involvement, Akhlachi has spent 42 years in Iran's defense ministry and pledged to rebuild military-industrial infrastructure.
- CNN reported this week that the United States developed strike plans using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, known as the "mother of all bombs," targeting Iranian nuclear sites if President Donald Trump orders renewed combat operations.
- Akhlachi warned that if the President "drops a single bomb, he will have to see how many of his troops end up being carried out of the region in a horizontal position," while Tehran claims it has taken necessary measures to counter potential US attacks.
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Iran has a new Secretary of Defense. Armaments expert Mehrdad Achlaghi Ketabchi threatens US President Donald Trump. News on the blog.
EADaily, 18 October 2026. In Iran, the new Minister of Defence, Mehrdad Ahlagi Ketabchi, was appointed, and 237 of the 277 deputies voted for his appointment, reports Pars Today.
Iran considered the necessary response to the United States use of the most powerful non-atomic bomb, declared the new Secretary of Defense of the Islamic Republic, Mehrdad Ehlaki. Tehran prepared for Washington's possible use of the most powerful non-nuclear bomb from the United States arsenal, transmitting RIA News with reference to the Iranian agency ILNA. "We have considered the necessary measures on this issue and are calm. We are doing our…
Saudi Gazette
Iran appoints new defense minister
TEHRAN — Iran's parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as the country's new defense minister on Sunday.Akhlaqi secured 237 votes in favor and 15 against, with no abstentions, during a parliamentary session held via video conference, according to state broadcaster IRIB. A total of 277 votes were cast.Lawmakers approved his appointment after reviewing his proposed plans for the Defense Ministry and hearing arguments from supporters and oppon…
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