According to Iranian sources, President Masoud Pezeshkian has formally nominated Mehrdad Akhlaghi to serve as defense minister. The nomination was made as part of the cabinet-formation process for the new administration, after Pezeshkian took office as president.
The nomination of Akhlaghi signals the Pezeshkian administration's priority of stabilizing and restructuring the defense and security system, which plays a central role in Iran's foreign and domestic policy. With the region in flux, the leadership of the Defense Ministry is being watched closely both at home and abroad.
Mehrdad Akhlaghi is a figure with experience in the defense field. Under Iran's procedures, however, a presidential nomination must be reviewed and confirmed by a vote of confidence in parliament (the Majlis). If approved, Akhlaghi will formally take up the post of defense minister.
No detailed information has yet emerged about Akhlaghi's specific agenda if appointed, though analysts say his immediate priorities would be maintaining national defense capabilities, managing existing defense programs and coordinating with other branches of power within Iran's political system.
The development is seen as part of President Pezeshkian's effort to consolidate his government apparatus and shape his senior leadership team for his term.
