Iran confirms Mehrdad Akhlaghi as defence minister, who warns the US of 'enormous damage'
Times of Israel, Ynet and Voz reported that Iran's parliament confirmed Mehrdad Akhlaghi as defence minister on Sunday, October 18. The government website said he won 237 votes out of 277 cast. He said people could rest assured that they will most likely not dare to attack Iran, and that if the US does, it and the region will suffer enormous damage. The reports say his warning extended to Washington's allies in the Middle East, including Israel. Ynet described him as a sanctioned veteran of Iran's missile industry and its headline quotes him saying 'We are ready for war'. The reports say he holds no military rank and has headed the Iran Defense Industries Organization, the state-owned arms manufacturer, since 2013.
A defence minister's first public remarks signal the line Tehran wants to draw for Washington and its allies. The reports present the warning as conditional on an attack, while Ynet's headline frames it as readiness for war, so the same words are being read in two ways.
If you follow oil or travel advisories linked to the region, read the full statement and not just the headline, since the reports differ on whether the warning is conditional.
Times of Israel and Voz present the statement as conditional: enormous damage to the US and the region follows only if the US attacks.
Ynet frames it as a threat to both the US and Israel, with a headline that quotes him saying 'We are ready for war'.
Confirmed by three outlets are the parliamentary vote, the 237 votes and his warning about enormous damage. Not confirmed is any military step linked to the statement. Watch today for reactions from Washington and from the countries named in the warning.
DailyDrop India edition No. 15 · Morning · MON., OCT. 19, 2026