Summary
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed hope that his nominee for defence minister, Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi, will remain alive and continue strengthening the country’s military capabilities, claiming that the official is also on a US “assassination list.” Pezeshkian made the remarks in a virtual address to parliament on Sunday as lawmakers considered Akhlaqi’s nomination, according to the semi-official ISNA news agency.
- Pezeshkian urged lawmakers to endorse Akhlaqi, saying he had backing from across Iran’s military and security establishment, including the regular army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Defence Ministry.
- Parliament subsequently approved Akhlaqi as Iran’s new defence minister, state broadcaster IRIB reported.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed hope that his nominee for defence minister, Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi, will remain alive and continue strengthening the country’s military capabilities, claiming that the official is also on a US “assassination list.”
Pezeshkian made the remarks in a virtual address to parliament on Sunday as lawmakers considered Akhlaqi’s nomination, according to the semi-official ISNA news agency.
The Iranian president noted that Akhlaqi faces US sanctions and claimed that Washington had also placed him on an assassination list. He expressed hope that the nominee would protect himself and receive the support of state institutions to continue his work.
Pezeshkian urged lawmakers to endorse Akhlaqi, saying he had backing from across Iran’s military and security establishment, including the regular army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Defence Ministry.
Parliament subsequently approved Akhlaqi as Iran’s new defence minister, state broadcaster IRIB reported. He received 237 votes in favour and 15 against, with no abstentions, out of 277 votes cast during the session, which took place via video conference.
Akhlaqi is a longtime senior official in Iran’s defence establishment. He previously led the Aerospace Industries Organisation and the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group (SBIG), which has links to Iran’s ballistic missile programme. Washington has imposed sanctions on him over his alleged involvement in missile-related activities.
He will replace former Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed during US-Israeli attacks on Iran earlier this year.
Addressing Iran’s defence policy, Pezeshkian said Tehran had no intention of attacking other countries but would respond forcefully to any assault on its territory.
“Our defence is not only missiles; our defence is the people and the unity and cohesion we have in the country,” he said.
The president also vowed that Iran would not yield to what he described as pressure and bullying from countries carrying out attacks against the country.
Akhlaqi’s appointment comes amid heightened regional tensions and continued confrontation between Iran, the United States and Israel over security and military issues.
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