Iran confirms Mehrdad Akhlaghi as new minister of defense

The Iranian parliament officially confirmed the appointment of 68-year-old Mehrdad Akhlaghi as the new Minister of Defense on October 18, 2026. Akhlaghi, a non-military official with 42 years of experience within the ministry, succeeds the late Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed during joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in February. These strikes also claimed the lives of supreme leader Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials, marking the beginning of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Prior to his appointment by President Masoud Pezeshkian, Akhlaghi served as the head of the Iranian Defense Industries Organization since 2013, overseeing the development and production of military equipment. He takes over the role from Revolutionary Guard General Majid Ebnelreza, who had been serving in an interim capacity following the February attacks. Akhlaghi’s appointment represents a shift toward a technical and industrial leadership focus within the ministry, given his long-standing background in scientific and administrative defense roles.