On Sunday, the Islamic Consultative Assembly voted 237–40 to appoint Mehrdad Akhlaghi as Iran’s defence minister, replacing Aziz Nasirzadeh who was killed in a U.S.–Israeli strike on February 28.
Akhlaghi, a career civil servant with 42 years at the ministry, has overseen the state‑owned Defence Industries Organisation since 2013 and was sanctioned by the United Nations in 2007 for alleged missile‑related activities.
The strike that killed Nasirzadeh also claimed senior commanders and the army’s top leaders, leaving a vacuum at a time when the country’s strategic posture is under international scrutiny.
In a pre‑vote statement, Akhlaghi warned that the ministry’s responsibilities now sit on a "sensitive juncture" and stressed the need for accurate environmental assessment and preparedness for varied futures.
With the vote complete, Akhlaghi will assume office immediately, tasked with steering the armed forces through the ongoing conflict while balancing sanctions‑driven constraints on procurement and logistics.