After Months of Vacancy, Tehran Reveals Name of Controversial New Defense Minister

Iranian state media reported on Sunday that the parliament approved the appointment of Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as minister of defense, after months of temporary management of the ministry.

Ketabchi's appointment, having previously headed the Iranian Aerospace Industries Organization, places him in charge of overseeing the ministry responsible for military production and defense procurement in the country.

The appointment of Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, who previously led the organization, comes amid the importance Tehran attaches to local defense industries, particularly in missile and drone sectors, with sanctions and restrictions on Iran's access to foreign military technologies and equipment continuing.

The vacancy in the leadership of the Iranian Ministry of Defense dates back to the killing of former minister Aziz Nasirzadeh in US and Israeli strikes targeting Iran late last February, before Majid Ibn Al-Rida was tasked with running the ministry's affairs.

On October 6, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian nominated Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi for the position and referred his name to parliament for a vote of confidence.

Ketabchi is considered one of the figures associated with Iran's missile and military industries sector. He previously served as head of the Defense Industries Organization, alongside the Aerospace Industries Organization. He is subject to US and European sanctions due to his role in Iranian armament programs.

Ketabchi had presented a program to parliament including 16 priorities, most notably restructuring the Ministry of Defense, developing air defense systems, rebuilding military industrial and production infrastructure, and accelerating the development of new defense technologies.

These changes come at a time when Tehran seeks to rebuild its military capabilities and strengthen deterrence systems, following the military confrontation with the United States and Israel, and amidst continued Western pressure and sanctions on its missile programs.