Iran’s parliament, the Islamic Consultative Assembly, gave a vote of confidence on Sunday to Mehrdad Akhlaghi, the nominee for minister of defense and armed forces logistics, state television reported. Akhlaghi replaces the previous defense minister, who was killed on the first day of the war with the United States, nearly eight months after the initial US and Israeli strikes that began the conflict.
Iran parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaghi as defense minister
Iranian lawmakers on Sunday gave a vote of confidence to Mehrdad Akhlaghi as defense minister, replacing a predecessor who was killed on the first day of the war with the United States, Iranian state television reported.
Why it matters: The appointment fills one of the senior posts left open by the opening US and Israeli strikes nearly eight months ago, as Iran rebuilds its military leadership during the conflict.
Data as of Sunday, October 18, 2026, 06:41 ET. Developing item. Single reporting chain, hence grade C: the vote of confidence is from Iranian state television, reported by Arab News, read in full. Kommersant carried the same appointment from the same Iranian announcement. No independent reporting on Akhlaghi's background or the vote count was in the reporting opened.
Sources
- Iran parliament approves new defense minister: state media · Arab News, reporting Iranian state media · 2026-10-18