Coverage dated October 18, 2026

Iran's parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi as minister of defence

Headline from Al-Monitor

DUBAI, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Iran's parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as defence minister on Sunday, ending months of interim leadership at the ministry and placing a former defence sector veteran in charge of the country's defence production and procurement apparatus.

Al-Monitor's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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Reports & sources

2 articles, oldest first.

Al-Monitor
Iran's parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi as minister of defence (opens Al-Monitor)
Published Oct 18, 2026
Al-Monitor's feed description
DUBAI, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Iran's parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as defence minister on Sunday, ending months of interim leadership at the ministry and placing a former defence sector veteran in charge of the country's defence production and procurement apparatus.
Al Jazeera
Who is Mehrdad Akhlaghi, Iran’s new tech-focused defence minister? (opens Al Jazeera)
Published Oct 18, 2026
Al Jazeera's feed description
Akhlaghi's experience centres on ballistic missiles, aerospace technology and defence-industrial production.