Mehrdad Akhlaghi Katbi, the proposed Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Support, was elected as Minister of Defense with a decisive vote from the representatives in today's public session of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. This selection took place on October 18, 2023, while Akhlaghi garnered 237 votes in favor, 15 votes against, and no abstentions, managing to gain the trust of the representatives.
Background and Experience of Mehrdad Akhlaghi
Mehrdad Akhlaghi is an experienced manager at the Ministry of Defense who has recently focused on the defense industries. Over the past years, he has worked within the industrial and specialized structures of the Ministry of Defense and was appointed as the CEO of the Aerospace Industries Organization of the Ministry of Defense in 2014. In this role, he has continuously strived to advance the goals of the Ministry of Defense and enhance the country's defense capabilities.
Voting Restrictions and Challenges
In this webinar session, 25 out of 277 representatives were unable to vote due to the conditions and manner of the session. Following the martyrdom of Amir Aziz Nasirzadeh, the former Minister of Defense, this ministry was entrusted to an interim head, and with the end of the legal period for the interim, the government received an additional 45 days from the Supreme Leader to appoint a new minister. Ultimately, on October 5, the government introduced Mehrdad Akhlaghi as the proposed minister.
In his remarks, Mehrdad Akhlaghi emphasized that he would confront challenges and demands, stating that we need self-sacrifice and dedication in this path. He also stressed the importance of paying attention to the sensitive and current conditions and urged the representatives to act responsibly in these circumstances.
The election of Mehrdad Akhlaghi as Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Support reflects the representatives' trust in his experience and capabilities in managing this ministry and continuing the previous path. This selection comes at a time when the country faces multiple challenges and threats, and the need for effective and efficient management in the defense sector is felt more than ever.
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