Event Brief
UPDATED Oct 18, 2026 at 12:11 PM ET
Oct 18, 2026 at 6:05 AM ET
Iranian parliament approves Akhlaghi as defense minister
By The BriefBrief
Iran's parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as defense minister on Sunday, ending months of interim leadership. He replaces Majid Ebn al-Reza, who assumed the role after Aziz Nasirzadeh was killed in US-Israeli strikes in February. Akhlaghi pledged to rebuild military-industrial infrastructure, develop defense technologies and expand cooperation with private companies.
WHO: Iran's parliament
WHAT: Approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as defense minister.
WHEN: Oct 18, 2026
WHERE: Iran
WHY: The reason for the approval was not stated; it ended months of interim leadership at the ministry.
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