Iran's Parliament Confirms Mehrdad Akhlaghi as Defence Minister With 237 Votes in Favour

<p>Iran's parliament gave a vote of confidence on Sunday 18 October 2026 (26 Mehr 1405) to Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, the nominee for Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics. Al Jazeera reports 237 lawmakers in favour and 15 against; Donya-e-Eqtesad and Khabaronline also report the 237 votes in favour.</p><p>Akhlaghi is 68 and, according to reports, has more than 42 years of experience in the Defence Ministry and affiliated bodies; he previously headed the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group, the Aerospace Industries Organization and the Defence Industries Organization. Al Jazeera says Majid Ebn-e Reza, who had run the ministry on an interim basis, now becomes his deputy. The new minister's stated priorities, per that report, are faster military-industrial development, air defence, use of emerging technologies with state and private firms, better welfare for the armed forces and wider international military cooperation.</p><p>In his first remarks after the vote, Akhlaghi said preparations have been made and work continues with peace of mind, and he warned the United States to pull its forces out of the region.</p>