Oct 5, 2026, 7:45 PM

Pezeshkian proposes Mehrdad Akhlaghi as new defense minister

TEHRAN, Oct. 05 (MNA) – President Masoud Pezeshkian has nominated Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi to serve as defense minister, submitting the nomination to Parliament for a confidence vote.

Akhlaghi is a senior Defense Ministry official and has previously headed the Aerospace Industries Organization.

Sasan Valizadeh, an adviser to the president’s parliamentary affairs deputy, announced the nomination on Monday, saying it was made in accordance with Article 133 of Iran’s Constitution.

If approved by Parliament, Akhlaghi will succeed Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was martyred in a US-Israeli attack on Iran on Feb. 28.

MNA

News ID 248346