Iran Appoints Sanctioned Missile Expert Mehrdad Akhlaghi as Defense Minister

Iran announced the appointment of Mehrdad Akhlaghi, a veteran official in the Islamic Republic's missile industry, as its new defense minister. Akhlaghi, 68, replaces Majid Ebn al-Reza, who served as acting defense minister following the targeted killing of Aziz Nasirzadeh by Israel on February 28. Akhlaghi has been under US and European sanctions for decades due to his leadership roles in the defense sector, including heading the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group, which is linked to ballistic missile production.

During his appointment hearings, which were approved by the Iranian parliament, Akhlaghi pledged to rebuild military infrastructure damaged in the ongoing conflict, accelerate defense technology development, and expand cooperation with the private sector. Following his confirmation, Akhlaghi issued stern warnings to the United States and Israel, boasting that he has been on enemy target lists for 35 years and threatening a severe response to any further aggression. He also stated that underground fortifications and missile sites have been reinforced against potential airstrikes, and promised the maiden flight of a domestically produced heavy fighter jet next year. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that Tehran's seven-day proposal to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz remains on the table, contingent on the lifting of US oil sanctions and unfreezing of assets, despite a stalemate in indirect negotiations and ongoing maritime tensions.