Iran's New Defense Minister Warns US of Dire Consequences Over Military Operations

Iran's newly appointed Defense Minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi has warned the US and its Middle Eastern allies of dire consequences soon after winning a vote of confidence in parliament. He made it clear on Sunday that the US and its allies will suffer heavy losses if Washington resumes its military operations against Iran. According to Iranian media, the parliament, the Islamic Consultative Assembly, has approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi as the Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics. Out of a total of 277 votes cast in parliament, 237 votes were in favor of Akhlaghi. Speaking to reporters after winning the vote of confidence, he said, "People be sure, the US and its allies will not dare to attack us. If they do so, they and the whole region will suffer heavy losses." Akhlaghi's appointment comes nearly eight months after the initial US-Israeli airstrikes. He will replace Nasir Aziz, whose former leader Natan Ali was killed in a February 28 attack on the same military compound.