TEHRAN -- Defense minister nominee Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi met with Major General Ali Abdollahi, chief of the Armed Forces General Staff, Saturday to discuss strengthening Iran’s defense capabilities, expanding the defense industry, and improving support for the armed forces as a key parliamentary committee voted overwhelmingly to approve his plans.
Abdollahi described Akhlaghi’s selection as “very appropriate and worthy,” citing his managerial experience and expertise in the defense industry, according to IRNA. 
He emphasized the need to utilize domestic capacities and specialists, develop strategic technologies, sustain production of defense equipment and weapons, and strengthen industrial infrastructure, while also stressing the importance of improving the livelihoods of armed forces personnel.
Akhlaghi, for his part, underscored continued effective support for the armed forces, maintaining the stability of supply chains and defense equipment production, and enhancing technological capabilities, and identified improving livelihood support for military personnel as a priority for the Defense Ministry. 
He also highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation between industrial and operational sectors and utilizing government, private sector, and knowledge-based companies to meet defense needs.
The meeting came as the parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of Akhlaghi’s programs in its second session on Saturday, according to committee spokesman Hassan Qashqavi. 
Qashqavi said the nominee detailed his plans over two and a half hours, focusing on the defense industry, including missile, drone, and radar capabilities in both offensive and defensive dimensions, given that the country is “in the middle of a war with an aggressor enemy”.
Akhlaghi has at least 11 years of focused experience in the defense industry and 42 years of service in the Defense Ministry, Qashqavi said.  
Defense Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Reza Talaeinik said Akhlaghi has held numerous meetings with lawmakers, parliamentary presiding board members, specialized committees, and provincial assemblies over the past 10 days since his introduction to parliament, explaining his programs and answering questions. 
He said Akhlaghi’s record in missile affairs, defense industries, and strategic management, along with over 40 years of scientific, managerial, technical, and executive experience, were among the factors that drew lawmakers’ attention.
Parliament is scheduled to hold a confidence vote on Sunday in a virtual session, according to the parliamentary presiding board. 
Akhlaghi was nominated by President Masoud Pezeshkian on October 5 to replace Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was martyred in an Israeli strike at the start of the war in late February. Majid Ebn-e-Reza has served as acting defense minister since then.