Stories
Iran appoints missile expert as defense minister, warns US as attacks spike in Hormuz
- •The Iranian parliament has approved missile expert Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as the new defense minister.
- •Ketabchi immediately issued a stern warning to the US, stating that any misstep will face a massive response.
- •Maritime tensions have escalated sharply with about 14 ships attacked in the Strait of Hormuz within a week.
- •Iran has also announced plans to fly its completely domestically-built heavy fighter jet next year.
Key Questions Answered
Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi was approved by the Iranian parliament as the new defense minister, securing 237 votes in his support out of 277 total votes cast. He succeeds former minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed in a US and Israel airstrike in February.
Immediately after taking office, Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi warned that if the US takes any further misstep, Iran will deliver a massive and shocking response. He also cautioned US President Donald Trump about potential American casualties and urged Washington to focus on safely withdrawing its personnel from the region.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), about 14 ships were attacked between October 8 and 14 in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding maritime areas. This marked the highest number of attacks recorded in a single week since the war began.
