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 A defence minister or minister of defence is a cabinet official position in charge of a ministry of defense, which regulates the armed forces in sovereign states. The role of a defence minister varies considerably from country to country; in som ...

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 Amir Hatami ( fa, امیر حاتمی) is an Iranian regular army (''Artesh'') officer with the rank of Brigadier general and Advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces of Army Affairs and the former minister of defense of Iran. ...

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. Ashtiani replaced Major General

Ataollah Salehi Ataollah Salehi ( fa, عطاءالله صالحی; born 9 March 1950) is the former and third commander-in-chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, serving from 2005 until 2017. He graduated before the Islamic Revolution from the Iranian Arm ...

. 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

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