Iran Appoints New Defence Minister, Issues Stark Warning to US Over 'Mother of All Bombs'

Iran's parliament has approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as the new defence minister, the government announced. The appointment comes as Ketabchi issued a stern warning to Washington, stating Tehran's readiness to counter any potential US attack involving the "Mother of All Bombs." Ketabchi secured 237 votes in favour, with 15 against and no abstentions, following a parliamentary review of his qualifications and proposed agenda, according to a government statement shared on X. President Masoud Pezeshkian had nominated Ketabchi on October 5, submitting his name to parliament for a vote of confidence.

Ketabchi replaces Brig Gen Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was reportedly killed in a US-Israeli airstrike at the beginning of the conflict in February. Following Nasirzadeh's death, President Pezeshkian appointed Brig Gen Majid Ebn Al Reza as the interim defence minister.

A seasoned official in the defence industry, Mr. Ketabchi has previously led Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organisation and Defence Industries Organisation, overseeing sectors crucial to missile technology and weapons production. Both the US and the UN have previously imposed sanctions on Mr. Ketabchi due to his alleged involvement in Iran's ballistic missile program. The UN specifically listed him in 2007 in connection with the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group, known for developing and producing solid-propellant ballistic missiles.

During his presentation to parliament, Mr. Ketabchi outlined his plans to restructure the ministry, expedite advancements in defence technology, and enhance Iran's military capabilities. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an online parliamentary session on Sunday, Ketabchi indicated that Iran had implemented necessary measures to defend against a potential US strike utilizing the "Mother of All Bombs," as reported by the semi-official Isna news agency. "We have taken the necessary measures for this scenario, and we are at ease; we proceed with our work with full confidence," he was quoted as saying.

Addressing US President Donald Trump directly, Ketabchi advised Washington to prioritize the secure withdrawal of its forces from the region. "He ought to be thinking about how to get his forces out of our region safely. If he drops a single bomb, he will have to consider how many of his troops will end up being carried out of the region in a horizontal position," he stated, seemingly referencing potential US military casualties. He suggested that the threat of retaliation has thus far deterred the US from initiating an attack. "Rest assured; it is precisely this fact that has deterred the US from taking such an action thus far," he added. "Of course, should they move from mere rhetoric to actual threats, they will certainly see the consequences."

This development follows a CNN report indicating that the US has developed strike plans that could involve the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, also known as the "Mother of All Bombs," targeting Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites if President Trump were to order renewed combat operations. This weapon is recognized as the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal.

In a separate statement, Iranian Army Deputy Executive Coordinator Brig Gen Alireza Sheikh confirmed that the military's equipment has been upgraded and its forces are prepared to respond to any threat. Speaking on Sunday in response to threats involving the potential use of the bomb against Iran, he remarked, "The fathers of bombs are the Iranian people, and they can certainly have a more destructive impact than what the enemy expects on its thoughts, psychology, mindset, and strategies."