Iran’s Parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaghi as new defense minister

The Parliament reviewed Akhlaghi’s qualifications and plans during its Sunday session, chaired by Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, before putting his nomination to a vote.

Akhlaghi received 237 votes in favor and 15 against, with no abstentions, out of 277 votes cast, becoming the new minister of defense.

President Masoud Pezeshkian nominated Akhlaghi for the position on October 5, submitting his name and professional record to Parliament for approval.

During Sunday’s session, lawmakers heard reports from the parliamentary committees on national security and foreign policy, as well as industry and mining, which had examined Akhlaghi’s proposed plans.

Pezeshkian also addressed Parliament in support of the nominee, while lawmakers who opposed and supported his plans presented their views before Akhlaghi defended his proposed program.

Last week, Akhlaghi held two meetings with lawmakers to explain his plans and hear their views, and he also met commanders of the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) to hear their priorities.

Akhlaghi succeeds Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was martyred in US-Israeli attacks on Tehran at the beginning of the 40-day aggression, after which Pezeshkian appointed Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Ibn al-Reza as acting defense minister.

Akhlaghi warns of ‘surprise, extensive response’ to enemy miscalculation

In remarks to parliament before the vote, Akhlaghi emphasized that Iran would deliver a strong response if its adversaries launched another attack against the country.

“If the American-Zionist enemy once again makes a miscalculation, the response of the Iranian nation and the fighters of Islam will be surprising and extensive,” he said.

Akhlaghi also warned that Washington and its allies would bear responsibility for the regional and international consequences of any renewed aggression against Iran.

‘Enemy faces strategic deadlock’

Following his approval by parliament, Akhlaghi said the enemy is facing a strategic deadlock because “changes are underway in the nature of threats, the logic of military power, the technological environment and the regional order.”

Iran’s defensive strength depended not only on its operational capabilities but also on its understanding of the strategic environment, He added.

“Since the 12-day war, our defense capabilities have been upgraded and modernized in ways that have changed the enemy’s assessments and calculations,” he noted.

Akhlaghi stressed that Iran would continue strengthening its defenses and preparing to confront complex and changing threats