Pezeshkian Nominates Mehrdad Akhlaghi as Iran's Defense Minister

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has nominated Mehrdad Akhlaghi as the country's new defense minister, according to an announcement made on Monday by Sasan Valizadeh, an adviser to the president's parliamentary affairs deputy. The nomination was submitted in accordance with Article 133 of Iran's Constitution, which outlines the procedure for appointing ministers.

Akhlaghi is a senior official at the Defense Ministry and has previously headed the Aerospace Industries Organization. His nomination comes after the position became vacant following the death of Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed in a US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28. If approved by Parliament, Akhlaghi will succeed Nasirzadeh as defense minister.

The nomination now requires parliamentary approval. Under Iran's constitutional process, the president proposes ministers and the Parliament votes on whether to confirm them. The announcement did not specify when the vote would take place.

Akhlaghi's background in the Aerospace Industries Organization, a key defense entity, may be a factor in his nomination as Iran seeks to fill the top defense post. The report by Mehr News added that the nomination was made in accordance with Article 133 of Iran's Constitution.