Iran’s parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaghi as defence minister

Iran’s parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi as defence minister on Sunday, 18 October, ending months of interim leadership at a ministry responsible for the country’s defence production and procurement, Reuters reported. The appointment comes after his predecessor was killed in US-Israeli strikes in February.

Akhlaghi received 237 votes in favour out of 277 cast, according to a government website cited by AFP. Al Jazeera reported that 15 lawmakers voted against him. President Masoud Pezeshkian had nominated Akhlaghi on 5 October and submitted his name for a parliamentary confidence vote, The National reported.

Who is Mehrdad Akhlaghi?

Pezeshkian said Akhlaghi had more than 42 years of experience in the Defence Ministry and related organisations, Al Jazeera reported. AFP said he has headed Iran’s Defence Industries Organisation, the state weapons manufacturer, since 2013. Reuters also described senior roles in the aerospace and missile sectors.

Reuters reported that Akhlaghi is subject to US and EU sanctions over his defence sector work. AFP said the United Nations sanctioned him in 2007 over alleged involvement in nuclear or ballistic missile activities. Those measures form part of the background to his appointment as head of the ministry.

Akhlaghi’s plans for Iran’s defence industry

In a programme presented to lawmakers, Akhlaghi pledged to rebuild military industrial infrastructure, speed up defence technology development and expand cooperation with private companies, Reuters reported. Al Jazeera said his stated priorities also included air defences, emerging technologies, armed forces welfare and international military cooperation.

Before the vote, Akhlaghi called taking responsibility for the ministry a task at a ‘sensitive juncture’, according to comments reported by AFP from the ISNA news agency. His remarks placed the appointment in the context of continuing tensions with the United States.

Akhlaghi warned that any further US attack would draw a ‘surprising and extensive’ response, Reuters reported. The National said he also addressed the possible use of the US ‘Mother of All Bombs’ against Iran and claimed the prospect of Iranian retaliation had deterred Washington. That account of US decision-making was his assertion.