Mehrdad Akhlaghi
Iran's defence minister and a former senior defence-industry executive.
Iran's parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as defence minister on 18 October 2026 after a career in missile and aerospace organisations.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Can Akhlaghi rebuild Iran's damaged air-defence and missile industries?
Timeline for Mehrdad Akhlaghi
Iran's MPs confirm new defence minister
Iran Conflict 2026Background
Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi is Iran's minister of defence and armed forces logistics. Parliament approved him on 18 October 2026 after a career centred on ballistic missiles, aerospace technology and defence-industrial production. His earlier posts included leadership of the Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group and the Aerospace Industries Organization.
European Union records listed Akhlaghi-Ketabachi as a director of the Defence Industries Organization and Aerospace Industries Organization. The EU said he was involved in procuring items for organisations under UN and EU sanctions. The United States Treasury separately designated him in 2016 for acting for or on behalf of the Aerospace Industries Organization. The listings attribute the designation to those roles and procurement activities.
Reference
What is Mehrdad Akhlaghi's defence background?
Who is Mehrdad Akhlaghi?
Why is Mehrdad Akhlaghi under sanctions?
When did Mehrdad Akhlaghi become Iran's defence minister?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.