Iran Confirms Missile Expert Mehrdad Akhlaghi as Defence Minister
According to Al Jazeera, lawmakers backed President Masoud Pezeshkian’s nominee by 237 votes to 15. AFP put the total number of votes cast at 277. Parliament has been meeting online since the war began on 28 February. Akhlaghi holds no military rank; he is a technocrat with 42 years in the Defence Ministry and affiliated bodies.
- Who: Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, 68
- What: Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics
- When: 18 October 2026, parliamentary confidence vote
- Vote: 237 in favour, 15 against (AFP: 277 votes cast)
- Predecessor: Aziz Nasirzadeh, killed 28 February
- Sanctions: listed by the UN and the United States
Background: Months of Acting Leadership
Nasirzadeh died when US and Israeli forces struck a leadership compound on 28 February 2026. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior commanders were killed in the same attack. Brigadier General Majid Ebn-e Reza has run the ministry in an acting capacity since then and will now serve as Akhlaghi’s deputy.
Khaleej Times, citing AFP, noted that the vote came nearly eight months after the first strikes. Pezeshkian said Akhlaghi has more than 42 years of experience in the ministry and related institutions.
From the Missile Industry to the Ministry
Unlike several predecessors, Akhlaghi comes from the arms-industry apparatus rather than the command chain. Al Jazeera reports that he previously headed the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group, the Aerospace Industries Organization and the Defence Industries Organization; all three are under US sanctions. He is himself on US and UN sanctions lists, the UN designation dating to 2007.
State media describe his expertise as ballistic missiles, solid-fuel propulsion, aerospace technology and military production. Tasnim says he was involved in the Sejjil and Zolfaghar ballistic missile families and in precision-guided weapons such as the Almas missile and the Yasin guided bomb.
Priorities and First Statements
| Item | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Mandate | Rebuild and expand military-industrial infrastructure heavily damaged in the war |
| Priorities | Air defence, faster military production, adopting new technologies with state and private firms |
| Ministry spokesman | Brig. Gen. Reza Talaei-Nik: the appointment reflects the need to raise the quantity and quality of strategic weapons, especially missiles and drones |
| Akhlaghi on the US | “If they do, they themselves and the region will suffer enormous damage” |
Khaleej Times quotes Akhlaghi as saying the US and its regional allies would suffer “enormous damage” if Washington resumes its campaign. Al Jazeera adds his remark that “we have made preparations and continue our work with ease of mind.” Pezeshkian said Iran will not start aggression against any country but will defend its territorial integrity.
Regional Context
The United States says it has destroyed most of Iran’s military-industrial capacity. Tehran says it retains considerable offensive and defensive capabilities beyond US and Israeli reach. This month, reports said the Trump administration had weighed using the GBU-43/B against nuclear and energy sites. Putting an industry manager rather than a field commander at the ministry suggests Tehran’s next phase will centre on production and replacing losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mehrdad Akhlaghi? He is a 68-year-old defence official with 42 years in the ministry system and senior posts in Iran’s missile and aerospace industry. He has no military rank.
What happened to the previous minister? Aziz Nasirzadeh was killed in the US-Israeli strike of 28 February 2026. Majid Ebn-e Reza ran the ministry in an acting role afterwards.
Why is he sanctioned? The UN listed him in 2007 over alleged nuclear or ballistic missile activity, and the organisations he led are under US sanctions.
What changes with his appointment? Official statements point to more missile and drone output, stronger air defence and the rebuilding of damaged production sites.
Bottom Line
Iran filled a wartime vacancy with a missile-industry manager instead of a commander. The choice signals that rebuilding stocks and production comes first. Whether that is achievable will depend on the state of Iran’s plants and on how US-Iran tensions develop in the coming months.
Sources
- Al Jazeera: Who is Mehrdad Akhlaghi, Iran’s new tech-focused defence minister?
- Khaleej Times (AFP): Iran’s new defence minister threatens ‘enormous damage’ if US attacks again
- Qatar Tribune: Iran’s parliament backs missile expert as defence minister
- Ynet: After months without appointment, Iran names new defense minister
