Iran's new defence minister says US and region would 'suffer enormous damage' if Washington attacks
Iran's parliament confirmed Mehrdad Akhlaghi as defence minister. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was still reviewing US comments on its seven-day proposal, while the White House said all options remain on the table.
Iran’s parliament on Sunday 18 October approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as defence minister, and he warned the United States against resuming military action against Iran.
“People can rest assured that they will most likely not dare to attack us,” Akhlaghi told reporters after the vote, AFP reported. “If they (the US) do, they themselves and the region will suffer enormous damage.” He received 237 votes from the 277 lawmakers present, according to state media cited by AFP.
Akhlaghi replaces Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed on 28 February in the US-Israeli strikes that also killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, AFP reported. He has worked in the defence ministry for 42 years and has headed Iran’s Defence Industries Organisation since 2013. He was placed under UN sanctions in 2007.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the Tasnim news agency on Sunday that Tehran was still reviewing US “comments” on its seven-day ceasefire proposal. “If they comply with our conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will reopen on the sixth day, and negotiations will begin on the seventh day,” he said, CBS News reported.
Responding to a CBS News report that the White House and Pentagon had prepared plans to use a Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb against Iranian military sites if ordered, a White House spokesperson said: “We do not comment on sensitive military plans that may or may not exist. President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.” Trump said last week that the US would not attack Iran before the US midterm elections, CBS reported.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said at least 10 vessels had been attacked in or near the Strait of Hormuz in the past week, the highest weekly figure since the war began in February.
Background
The United States and Israel began strikes on Iran in February 2026. Iran has since restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and the US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Iran’s seven-day proposal, presented in September, calls for an end to the blockade, the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil and a ceasefire on all fronts, CBS News reported. Iran says it does not seek nuclear weapons.
Sources
- Iran's new Defence Minister Akhlaghi threatens 'enormous damage' if U.S. attacks · AFP via The Hindu
- Iran's new defence minister threatens 'enormous damage' if US attacks · AFP via The Straits Times
- Live Updates: Iran says Strait of Hormuz reopening, seven-day ceasefire conditions still on the table · CBS News
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