OMM Newsroom
Iran’s parliament has approved Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as the country’s new defense minister, state broadcaster IRIB reported, according to Anadolu Agency.
Akhlaqi received 237 votes in favour and 15 against, with no abstentions, out of 277 votes cast during a parliamentary session held by video conference.
Lawmakers voted after hearing arguments from his supporters and opponents and reviewing his plans for the Defense Ministry.
Akhlaqi replaces Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed in the initial US-Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. Majid Ebn al-Reza had served as acting defense minister after Nasirzadeh’s death.
Before the vote, Akhlaqi warned lawmakers that Iran would deliver a “surprising and extensive” response if the US and Israel launched another attack on 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.
He added that Washington and its allies would be responsible for any regional and international consequences.
Akhlaqi also said he had been on what he called his enemies’ “assassination list” for 35 years and pledged to further strengthen what Iran calls the “resistance front.”
He said his priorities would include expanding defense production across Iran’s industrial network, increasing research and adapting the Defense Ministry’s structure to current security threats.
A longtime senior Defense Ministry official, Akhlaqi previously headed Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization. He has been subject to US sanctions over his involvement in Iran’s missile-related activities.
