Iran’s new defense chief warns US of ‘enormous damage’ if attacks resume

TEHRAN, Iran — Newly appointed Iranian defense minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi threatened on Sunday to inflict “enormous damage” on the United States and its allies in the Middle East if Washington resumes its military campaign against the country. “People can rest assured that they will most likely not dare to attack us,” Akhlaghi told reporters shortly after securing parliament’s vote of confidence. “If they (the US) do, they themselves and the region will suffer enormous damage.” Iranian lawmakers had earlier approved Akhlaghi’s appointment as the country’s new defense minister, after his predecessor was killed on the first day of the war with the United States. “Members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (parliament) today gave a vote of confidence to Mehrdad Akhlaghi, the nominee for minister of defense and armed forces logistics,” state television reported, nearly eight months after the initial US-Israeli strikes that sparked the conflict. According to the government website, Akhlaghi “was elected to the post with 237 votes in favor,” out of a total of 277 votes cast. Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories Newsletter email address Get it By signing up, you agree to the terms The veteran defense official replaces Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed in a US-Israeli attack on a leadership compound on February 28, alongside former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders. Iran’s new defense minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi: 'all necessary measures' taken in case US drops MOAB on Iran If US attacks again, 'there will be MASSIVE damage to both themselves and the region' pic.twitter.com/CYZsSm6YQM Advertisement — RT Intl (@RT_on_X) October 18, 2026 “If I receive parliament’s vote of confidence, responsibility for the Ministry of Defense will fall to me at a sensitive juncture,” Akhlaghi said before the vote, according to the ISNA news agency. “Under such circumstances, defending the country requires an accurate understanding of the environment, an understanding of the logic behind developments, the identification of influential trends, and preparedness to face different possible futures,” he added. Although he does not hold a military rank, Akhlaghi has worked in the defense ministry for 42 years and has headed the Iranian Defense Industries Organization, the state’s weapons manufacturer, since 2013. Motorbikes drive past Iranian missiles and banners showing portraits of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, center, and the late armed forces commanders and nuclear scientists, who were killed in Israeli and US strikes, displayed in a military exhibition commemorating the anniversary of the start of the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war at Baharestan Square, in Tehran, September 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) The United Nations sanctioned Akhlaghi in 2007 over his alleged involvement in nuclear or ballistic missile activities. Help us report truthfully on social media As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos. This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. 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Sign in to stop seeing this Most Popular 1 Washington Post photojournalist beaten by settlers slams Netanyahu after surgery on nearly detached finger 2 White House says Press Secretary Katie Zacharia ‘let go’ from role after 5 days 3 Hardline rabbi: Jews can take Palestinian olives to ‘demonstrate our ownership of the land’ 4 Tesla unveils new ‘flying’ car, but consumer rollout likely still years away 5 Four Israeli soccer team officials arrested on suspicion of ‘systematic’ fraud 6 Settlers beat Palestinians, US journalist in West Bank attacks: ‘They kept kicking me and kicking me’ 7 Trump says Israel has ‘been very helpful to Saudi Arabia’ amid fight against Houthis 8 Inside story Arab states see hawks ruling Israel no matter who wins vote, but still sense room for change read more: Israel & the Region Iran Mehrdad Akhlaghi United States Middle East Iranian military 2026 US-Israel war with Iran If you’d like to comment, join The Times of Israel Community. 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