Iran appoints UN-sanctioned Akhlaghi as defense minister, filling post vacant since war began

Iran's parliament confirmed Mehrdad Akhlaghi as defense minister on Sunday, filling a vacancy left when his predecessor was killed in Israeli-American strikes in late February. Akhlaghi is under UN sanctions, and the post had been held temporarily by a Revolutionary Guards general for eight months. The appointment signals continuity in Iran's defense posture amid ongoing conflict, though the sanctions designation may complicate international engagement.