"I hope he stays alive": Iran appoints a replacement for the assassinated defense minister

Iran's parliament approved the appointment of Mehrdad Ahlaki as the new defense minister on Sunday, state media reported. The appointment comes months after the previous minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, was eliminated in Israeli and US strikes in February. President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that Ahlaki is on an American assassination list, expressing hope he survives his term. Ahlaki, former head of Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization, is under international sanctions.

Iran's parliament approved the appointment of Mehrdad Ahlaki as the new defense minister on Sunday, according to state media. The appointment ends a prolonged period during which the ministry was run by an acting minister, following the elimination of the previous minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, in Israeli and US strikes last February. During the parliamentary debate, President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the danger facing the new minister, claiming Ahlaki is on an American assassination list and expressing hope he survives his term. Ahlaki previously headed Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization and is considered a senior figure in the country's defense industry, particularly in missile systems development. He is under international sanctions for his activities in Iran's security apparatus. The appointment comes as Tehran attempts to rebuild its military capabilities after the strikes it suffered.