Mehrdad Akhlaghi: Iran’s tech-focused defence minister faces wartime rebuilding
A minister appointed during war
Akhlaghi’s appointment comes as Iran faces a war with the United States that is expected to escalate. The country’s defence-industrial infrastructure has been heavily targeted by the US and Israel, leaving rebuilding and expansion among his responsibilities.
His predecessor, Aziz Nasirzadeh, was killed on the war’s first day. The opening-day deaths also included a large number of senior figures, among them Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Decades in defence work
President Masoud Pezeshkian said Akhlaghi had spent more than 42 years in the Defence Ministry and related organisations. State media described his main areas of expertise as ballistic missiles, solid-fuel propulsion, aerospace technology and military-industrial production.
Tasnim, a newspaper linked with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that Akhlaghi had been associated with several missile types and weapons-development projects over recent decades. He is also reported to know about space launchers, research rockets and facilities at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in Semnan.
Military needs and public remarks
Akhlaghi told parliament members this month that he had met senior military commanders to understand their requirements during and after the war. Those he named included IRGC commander-in-chief Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi.
In his first remarks as defence minister on Sunday, Akhlaghi taunted the administration of US President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, the administration had threatened to use the “mother of all bombs” against Iran’s nuclear and energy infrastructure. Pezeshkian said Iran would not initiate aggression against another country, but would defend its territorial integrity forcefully if attacked.
Key points
- Akhlaghi is responsible for rebuilding and expanding Iran’s targeted military-industrial infrastructure.
- His reported expertise includes missiles, aerospace technology and military-industrial production.
- Akhlaghi has consulted senior commanders about military needs during and after the war.