Iran's parliament approves new defense minister after predecessor killed by Israel

Oct 18, 2026

Iran's parliament approved missile veteran Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as defense minister on October 18, 2026, ending months of interim leadership following the death of predecessor Aziz Nasirzadeh in February US-Israeli strikes. Akhlaghi, who is under US, EU, and UN sanctions, pledged to rebuild targeted military infrastructure and advance missile capabilities. His appointment comes amid escalating tensions as US reports outline strike plans involving heavy munitions against Iranian nuclear and energy sites.

Parliament approval and defense ministry succession

▪Former Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh was killed alongside Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders in US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026
▪The Iranian parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as defence minister on October 18, 2026, with 237 lawmakers voting in favor and 15 against out of 277 total votes cast
▪Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi replaces interim defense minister Majid Ebn-e Reza, who assumed leadership following the death of former Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh

Ketabchi's defense strategy and plans

▪Defence Minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi pledged to rebuild Iran's military-industrial infrastructure, accelerate defense technology development, and expand private-sector cooperation
▪Iran's Defence Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik stated that Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi's appointment reflects Iran's strategy to expand offensive weapons, including missiles and drones
▪Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, senior military authorities, and parliament's Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy approved Defence Minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi's defence plans to rebuild Iran's military-industrial infrastructure

Iranian parliament during wartime

▪Iranian Parliament has convened online since the start of the United States-Israel war on Iran on February 28, 2026
▪Mehrdad Akhlaghi told Iranian lawmakers in October 2026 that he met with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander-in-chief Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi to assess wartime military requirements

Ketabchi's career, missile development, and sanctions

▪Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi contributed to developing Iranian ballistic missile programs including Sejjil, Zolfaghar, Almas missiles, Yasin guided bombs, and the Imam Khomeini Space Center
▪Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi is subject to United States, European Union, and United Nations sanctions over his involvement in Iran's defense, nuclear, and ballistic missile programs
▪Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi previously served as head of the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group and the Aerospace Industries Organization
▪Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi has worked in Iran's Defence Ministry for 42 years and has headed the Defence Industries Organization since 2013

Iran's military-industrial capacities

▪The United States and Israel heavily targeted Iran's military-industrial infrastructure during strikes starting February 28, 2026
▪The United States repeatedly claimed to have destroyed most of Iran's military-industrial capacities, while Tehran maintained it retains significant capabilities outside United States and Israeli reach

US MOAB bomb threats and Iranian response

▪CNN reported that the United States developed strike plans involving the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites
▪United States President Donald Trump threatened the potential use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb if renewed combat operations against Iran are ordered
▪Defence Minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi warned that if United States forces drop a single bomb, United States troops will be evacuated horizontally from the region