Mehrdad Akhlaqi, a sanctioned veteran of Iran's missile industry, replaces a minister killed in Israel's February strikes and warns of a devastating response to renewed attacks; Tehran says its weapons factories are being moved into mountains as negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz remain deadlocked.
Iran appointed Mehrdad Akhlaqi, a longtime senior figure in the Islamic Republic's missile industry, as its new defense minister on Sunday, replacing an acting minister who had served since his predecessor was killed in an Israeli strike in February. Hours after his appointment, Akhlaqi threatened the United States and Israel with a sweeping military response, warning President Donald Trump that any renewed attack on Iran could leave American forces facing heavy casualties. (Read More)
