Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani ( fa, محمدرضا قرایی آشتیانی) is a member of the Iranian military with the rank of Brigadier General who has served as the minister of defence since 2021."Iran’s defense min. congratulates counterparts on Christmas", Mehr News Agency, 1 January 2022
/ref> Ashtiani was sworn in on August 25, 2021, replacing Brigadier General Amir Hatami who held role since 2017.

Military career

Ashtiani was promoted to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Islamic Republic of Iran (Artesh) on July 2, 2019, following a decree by Supreme Leader

Ali Khamenei Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei ( fa, سید علی حسینی خامنه‌ای, ; born 19 April 1939) is a Twelver Shia ''marja and the second and current Supreme Leader of Iran, in office since 1989. He was previously the third president o ...

. Ashtiani replaced Major General Ataollah Salehi. He was chosen to be the Minister of Defense by President Ebrahim Raisi and then was approved for the position and took office on August 25, 2021.

Defense Minister

Ashtiani’s selection for the position was favored by outgoing minister Amir Hatami who called Ashtiani the “best candidate” for position. Ashtiani also said that he would prioritize exporting various defense products to other countries around the world.

References

Living people 1960 births Islamic Republic of Iran Army brigadier generals Islamic Republic of Iran Army personnel of the Iran–Iraq War Iranian individuals subject to the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctions Politicians from Tehran 21st-century Iranian politicians {{Iran-mil-bio-stub