Iran Appoints New Defense Minister

Former Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzade was killed in American-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Consensus

Iran's parliament approved Mehrdad Ahlagi as the new defense minister.
The previous defense minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, was killed in a U.S.-Israel strike on February 28, 2026.
Ahlagi has extensive experience in Iran's aerospace and missile industries.
Ahlagi was appointed after a parliamentary vote, with 237 votes in favor and 15 against.
The appointment occurred after a 12-day military conflict between Iran and Israel in 2025.
Ahlagi stated that Iran's defense capabilities have been modernized and that the country is prepared for future threats.

The previous defense minister, Aziz Nasirzadé, was killed along with the chief of staff, Ali Khamenei, and other officials in the February 28 strike. — vedomosti
The 12-day war between Israel and Iran ended in June 2025, and fighting resumed in 2026. — vedomosti
Ahlagi has been under U.S. and UN sanctions since 2007, was removed from the UN list in 2023, and re-added in 2025. — vesti
Ahlagi is considered a key figure in developing Iran's solid-fuel missile technology and the Fattah hypersonic missile. — vedomosti
Ahlagi stated he would give a 'surprising and massive' response to any new attack by the U.S. and Israel. — vesti
Ahlagi has been on a list of people targeted for assassination by enemies for 35 years. — vesti
Ahlagi played a role in establishing the Imam Khomeini Space Launch Center. — vedomosti
The appointment signals a strategic shift to prioritize defense industry over reduction under pressure. — vedomosti