Iranian parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as defense minister

Iran's parliament has elected Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as the country's defense minister, according to a report published on 18 October 2026 by Report.az, which cited Tasnim. A total of 237 lawmakers voted in favor of his appointment.

Ketabchi thus secured a vote of confidence from parliament and was elected to the post. Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had appointed Majid ibn al-Reza as acting defense minister.

The report did not provide further details on the vote or on the period during which Majid ibn al-Reza served in the acting role.