{
  "id": 15391231,
  "title": "Iran names new defence minister as he warns US over ‘Mother of All Bombs’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/iran-names-new-defence-minister-as-he-warns-us-over-mother-of-all",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T09:57:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/10/18/iran-names-new-defence-minister-as-he-warns-us-over-mother-of-all-bombs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nDuring 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.\n\nKetabchi'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.",
  "summary": "Iran’s parliament has approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as defence minister, the government said, as he warned Washington that Tehran was prepared to respond to a possible US attack involving the “Mother of All Bombs”. Mr Ketabchi received 237 votes in favour and 15 against, with no abstentions, following a review of his credentials and proposed programme, said a government statement posted on…",
  "key_points": [
    "Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi appointed as Iran's new defence minister",
    "US and UN sanctions imposed on Ketabchi for ballistic missile program involvement",
    "Ketabchi warns US over 'Mother of All Bombs', urges safe withdrawal of forces"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Iranian parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaghi as defense minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/iranian-parliament-approves-mehrdad-akhlaghi-as-defense-minister",
        "published": "2026-10-18T08:36:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Iran's parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi as minister of defence, state media",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/irans-parliament-approves-mehrdad-akhlaqi-as-minister-of-defence",
        "published": "2026-10-18T08:37:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Iran's parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi as minister of defence",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/irans-parliament-approves-mehrdad-akhlaqi-as-minister-of-defence-15392587",
        "published": "2026-10-18T09:46:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Iran names new defence minister as he warns US over ‘Mother of All Bombs’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/iran-names-new-defence-minister-as-he-warns-us-over-mother-of-all-15393538",
        "published": "2026-10-18T09:57:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Iran's new defence minister issues warning to the US",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/irans-new-defence-minister-issues-warning-to-the-us",
        "published": "2026-10-18T09:59:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Iran’s parliament approves new defence minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/irans-parliament-approves-new-defence-minister",
        "published": "2026-10-18T10:20:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}