Iran parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi as new defence minister
The former aerospace chief takes charge eight months after his predecessor was killed in US-Israeli strikes.
Iran's parliament on Sunday approved veteran defence official Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as the country's new Defence Minister, ending eight months of interim leadership following the death of his predecessor in joint US-Israeli strikes.
Akhlaqi replaces Majid Ebn al-Reza, who had held the post in an interim capacity since February, when former Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh was killed on the opening day of military strikes that also claimed the life of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The appointment places a long-time manager of Tehran's missile and aerospace programmes at the helm of Iran's military production apparatus. Akhlaqi, who previously headed the Aerospace Industries Organisation and held senior leadership roles at the Defence Industries Organisation, is already subject to US and European Union sanctions over his work in Iran's military sector.
Addressing lawmakers in Tehran, Akhlaqi issued a direct warning against further US military action in West Asia, specifically referencing reports that Washington has prepared plans to deploy its GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb against Iranian energy and nuclear sites.
"If the American enemy makes another miscalculation, the response of the valiant Iranian people and the fighters of Islam will be surprising and extensive," Akhlaqi said. He added that US President Donald Trump should focus on withdrawing American forces safely, warning that if bombs are dropped, US troops would leave the region "in a horizontal position".
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged that Akhlaqi remains a key target for foreign intelligence agencies, stating that security measures would be tightened to protect the new minister.
Focus on missiles, drones and space technology
In his presented programme, Akhlaqi outlined an ambitious agenda aimed at rebuilding Iran's military-industrial infrastructure and advancing its strategic capabilities. His priority list includes upgrading missile systems, expanding unmanned aerial vehicle fleets, and building out space-based military assets.
| Focus area | Key planned developments |
|---|---|
| Missile technology | Enhancing range, accuracy, and payload for cruise and surface-to-surface missiles |
| Unmanned systems | Deploying long-range, stealth, combat, and reconnaissance UAVs, alongside counter-drone systems |
| Air defence & space | Upgrading air defence shields and developing military satellites |
| Defence sector reform | Restructuring armed forces procurement and expanding private-sector industrial partnerships |
Akhlaqi emphasised that Tehran would seek greater participation from private Iranian companies to accelerate military research, design, and production. The new minister assumed his post immediately following the parliamentary vote.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Interim leadership duration | 8 months | Iranian Parliament records |
| Predecessor death date | 28 February 2026 | Iranian State Media |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi | Newly approved Minister of Defence of Iran. |
| Iran | Country appointing the new defence minister. |
| Iranian Parliament | Legislative body that vetted and approved Akhlaqi's appointment. |
