Iran names new defence minister as he warns US over ‘Mother of All Bombs’

Iran's parliament has chosen Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as the new defence minister, with overwhelming support from lawmakers. He was nominated by President Masoud Pezeshkian on October 5 and faced no opposition in the approval process. Ketabchi, a veteran in the defence industry, has previously led Iran's Aerospace and Defence Industries Organisations. The US and the UN have imposed sanctions on him due to his alleged involvement in Iran's ballistic missile program.

During his maiden address to parliament, Ketabchi emphasized Iran's readiness to counter any potential US attack using the "Mother of All Bombs." He stated that necessary measures were taken to ensure the safety of the country and its military capabilities. Ketabchi also addressed US President Donald Trump, urging him to focus on the safe withdrawal of US forces from the region. He warned that any US bombing would result in a significant loss of American military personnel.

Ketabchi's predecessor, Brig Gen Aziz Nasirzadeh, was killed in a US-Israeli air strike at the start of the war. Pezeshkian subsequently appointed Brig Gen Majid Ebn Al Reza as caretaker defence minister. Iranian Army Deputy Executive Coordinator Brig Gen Alireza Sheikh also assured that the military's equipment had been upgraded and its forces were prepared to respond to any threat. He claimed that the Iranian people had the capability to cause more destruction than the enemy anticipates.