Iran’s Parliament Backs Missile Veteran Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as New Defence Minister
Iran’s parliament has approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, a long‑time Defence Ministry official involved in building the country’s missile industry, as defence minister.
Iran has chosen a senior missile‑industry figure to lead its Defence Ministry, underscoring the central place of missile development in Tehran’s security thinking.
Iran’s parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as the new defence minister. Ketabchi is described as a veteran Defence Ministry official who helped build and develop Iran’s missile industry.
He previously headed the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group and later the Aerospace Industries Organization. Both are key structures within Iran’s missile and aerospace sector.
A separate report likewise said the Iranian parliament approved the appointment of Mehrdad Akhlaghi as Iran’s new Minister of Defence.
The choice of a minister with this background comes as Iranian officials are issuing warnings about potential conflicts and leverage over regional chokepoints. Rezaei, the secretary of Iran’s Security Council, said Iran’s armed forces have prepared a more devastating plan than earlier wars and that this plan would not follow rules known to adversaries. Iran’s foreign minister has said Tehran’s seven‑day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz remains on the table, linking any reopening to U.S. moves.
Ketabchi’s record at Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group and the Aerospace Industries Organization suggests continuity in Iran’s focus on missile and aerospace capabilities.
Signals to watch include whether Iran accelerates missile‑related programs under Ketabchi, how regional rivals respond to his appointment, and whether future talks with foreign powers place additional emphasis on missile issues.
Sources
- OSINT