Iran's parliament confirms new defence minister following military leadership changes

Iran's parliament has formally approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi to serve as the nation's defence minister, marking a significant leadership transition in the country's military hierarchy. Akhlaghi replaces Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed in a military operation on February 28 alongside Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other senior military commanders. The parliamentary vote represents an important step in reshaping Iran's defence establishment following the unprecedented losses suffered in the February incident. Akhlaghi's appointment comes as Iran faces continued regional security challenges and efforts to restructure its military command structure. His confirmation by the legislature signals the completion of a key phase in filling critical defence posts vacated by the February operations. The new minister will assume responsibilities overseeing Iran's armed forces during a period of regional tension and ongoing military reorganisation.