On 18 October, the Iranian parliament approved Merdad Ahlaki Ketabchi as Minister of Defence. This was reported by Iranian state media and international news agencies.
During an online session, 237 out of 277 MPs voted in favour of his nomination. Fifteen MPs voted against, and there were no abstentions.
Ahlaqi has worked in Iran’s defence industry for many years. In particular, he headed the country’s Aerospace Industries Organisation and held senior positions in the defence sector.
Akhlaki’s name is included on the UN sanctions list. The document identifies him as the former head of the ‘Shahid Bagheri’ industrial group, which was involved in Iran’s ballistic missile programme. Ahlaqi was added to the list in 2007 as part of measures implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1737, adopted in 2006.
The US has also imposed sanctions on him for activities related to the missile programme.
Before the vote, Ahlaki warned MPs that Iran would respond decisively to any new strikes by the US and Israel. According to him, the response would be “unexpected and on a large scale”.
Akhlaki succeeded Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed on 28 February during the first US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Following his death, Majid Ibn al-Raza had been acting as Minister of Defence.