Iran’s Parliament Approves Mehrdad Akhlaghi as Defense Minister

Iran’s parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi-Ketabachi as minister of defense and armed forces logistics on October 18. The parliamentary record reports 237 votes in favor and 15 against after a virtual session that included the president’s defense of the nomination, the nominee’s remarks and statements by supporters and opponents. A July 2025 European Union sanctions record identifies Akhlaghi-Ketabachi’s roles in Iran’s Defense Industries Organization and Aerospace Industries Organization. That EU record states that he supported proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities and the development of nuclear-weapon delivery systems.