Tehran, 18 October (H.S.): Iran’s parliament on Sunday approved veteran defence official Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabachi as the country’s new defence minister, ending months of interim leadership at the ministry following the death of his predecessor in US-Israeli strikes in February.

Akhlaghi secured 237 votes in favour out of 277 votes cast in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, according to official reports. He succeeds Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed in an attack on a leadership compound on February 28, alongside former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior military commanders. Majid Ebn al-Reza had been serving as acting defence minister since Nasirzadeh’s death.

Before the parliamentary vote, Akhlaghi told lawmakers that taking charge of the Defence Ministry at a time of heightened regional tensions would be a significant responsibility. He stressed the need for a clear understanding of the evolving security environment, emerging geopolitical trends and potential future threats.

Akhlaghi has spent decades working in Iran’s defence sector and previously headed the country’s Aerospace Industries Organisation, which plays a key role in developing its aerospace and missile capabilities. His appointment comes as Tehran seeks to strengthen its domestic defence production and military-industrial infrastructure amid continuing tensions with the United States and Israel.

In his proposed programme, Akhlaghi pledged to expand defence manufacturing, accelerate the development of military technologies and increase cooperation with private-sector companies. He also warned that any renewed US-Israeli attack on Iran would prompt a forceful response.

Akhlaghi has also faced international sanctions over his involvement in Iran’s missile-related activities. In 2007, the United Nations included Mehrdada Akhlaghi Ketabachi, a variant of his name, on its sanctions list in connection with Iran’s ballistic missile programme.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar