TEHRAN: Iran’s new defence minister, Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, warned US President Donald Trump on Sunday that another American attack would bring retaliation and put US personnel at risk.
Parliament approved his appointment with 237 votes in favour and 15 against. He will lead the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics.
Speaking to reporters at parliament, Akhlaghi Ketabchi urged Washington to prioritise the safe withdrawal of its personnel. “Trump should be thinking about getting his people out of the region safely,” he said.
He warned that even a single American bomb could result in US personnel returning home dead. He also claimed Iran had prepared measures to counter renewed threats.
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President Masoud Pezeshkian nominated Akhlaghi Ketabchi earlier this month. The defense industry official previously headed the Aerospace Industries Organization.
His appointment ends a period of caretaker leadership after former defence minister Aziz Nasirzadeh died in February. Iranian authorities attributed Nasirzadeh’s death to a US-Israeli airstrike on Tehran.
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Akhlaghi Ketabchi warned that renewed American attacks could cause US casualties after parliament approved his appointment.
