Iran’s parliament approves Akhlaghi as defence minister

Iran’s parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as defence minister on October 18, placing a veteran defence-sector official in charge of the ministry after months of interim leadership. He received 237 votes in favour out of 277 cast, according to a tally published on Iran’s government website. After the vote, Akhlaghi warned that a renewed US attack would prompt a surprising and extensive Iranian response. He also told US President Donald Trump to focus on getting American personnel safely out of the region, warning of consequences for US forces if another bomb were dropped. His remarks were statements of intent; they do not independently establish Iran’s military capabilities or what it would do in a future conflict. Akhlaghi succeeds Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed in February during US-Israeli strikes, according to the reports. Majid Ebn al-Reza had served as interim minister after Nasirzadeh’s death. Akhlaghi’s appointment ends that interim leadership and gives him responsibility for the ministry overseeing defence production and procurement. The new minister has spent decades in Iran’s defence sector. Reports say he has worked in the defence ministry for 42 years...