Iran's parliament confirms missile specialist as new defence minister

Iran's parliament voted Sunday to confirm Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as defence minister, with 237 lawmakers in favour and 15 against. The vote was conducted online, as parliament has operated since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran in February.

Akhlaghi, 68, succeeds Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed alongside Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the opening day of the conflict. His principal expertise spans ballistic missiles, solid-fuel propulsion and military-industrial production. He previously led the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group, the Aerospace Industries Organization and the Defence Industries Organization, and has been linked to development of the Sejjil and Zolfaghar missile families. Both the US and the United Nations have sanctioned him.

Iran's Defence Ministry said his nomination reflects the country's priority to increase the quantity and quality of strategic weapons. President Masoud Pezeshkian, who endorsed the appointment, said Akhlaghi brings more than four decades of experience in defence and related organisations.

Any Kalshi or Polymarket contracts tracking Iranian military leadership or the trajectory of the US-Iran conflict will reprice on the appointment of a minister whose stated mandate is expanding missile and drone production.

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