Iranian President nominates sanctioned missile expert Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as defense minister

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian submitted a letter nominating senior defense official Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi for the post of defense minister, addressing it to parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf. Akhlaghi Ketabchi, known for his extensive work on Iran's missile programs, is currently sanctioned by the United States and the United Nations. The appointment follows the death of former minister Brig.

Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh in an Israeli strike at the outset of the US-Israel-Iran conflict. In the interim, Brig. Gen. Majid Ebn al-Reza has acted as defense minister.

The nominee must pass parliamentary committee scrutiny and receive a confidence vote, which parliament spokesperson Abbas Goudarzi expects to hold on Oct. 18. Two online sessions with Akhlaghi Ketabchi are scheduled for next week, according to Tasnim News Agency.