Iranian parliamentarian nominates sanctioned missile engineer for defense minister

Iranian parliamentarian Masoud Pezeshkian has nominated Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi for the post of defense minister, putting a seasoned official with close ties to Iran's missile and space industries before a parliamentary confidence vote.

The presidency has submitted Ketabchi's nomination to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, seeking approval in accordance with Article 133 of the constitution.

Ketabchi is closely linked to Iran's missile industries and is described as a veteran missile engineer and senior defense ministry official, with strong connections to both the missile and space sectors.

In 2007, the UN Security Council listed Ketabchi as responsible for an industrial group under the defense ministry involved in Iran's ballistic missile program.