Iran's New Defense Minister Issues Warning to Trump

Iran announced on Sunday the appointment of a new defense minister, following two months in which the position had remained vacant. The Iranian parliament approved the appointment of Mehrdad Akhlaghi, who previously served as head of the Aerospace Industries Organization.

The newly appointed defense minister wasted no time issuing a statement warning the United States against launching an attack on Iran.

“If the American enemy once again makes a miscalculation, the response of the brave Iranian people and the Muslim mujahideen will be surprising and comprehensive. The American terrorist government and its allies will bear responsibility for all the regional and global consequences.”

He added: “Trump should be thinking about how to get his people out of the region safely and unharmed. Let him drop even a single bomb, and we will see how many of his people he will have to evacuate on stretchers.”

Akhlaghi, 68, previously held a senior position in Iran’s missile production program. He assumed office at the Defense Ministry in Tehran following the deaths of his two predecessors, Aziz Nasirzadeh and Majid Ibn al-Reza, who were killed in joint Israeli-American strikes. The United States imposed sanctions on the incoming defense minister in 2008.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated today a statement he made the previous evening, saying that Iran had submitted a new proposal to the United States through Qatar for negotiations concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

“Our conditions are completely clear, and they have been presented to the American side as part of a seven-day framework,” Araghchi said. “As far as we are concerned, this plan remains on the table. There is a clearly defined framework regarding the Strait of Hormuz. If they meet these conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will reopen on the sixth day, and negotiations will resume on the seventh day.”

He emphasized that Iran would not yield to threats. “Under no circumstances will we bow to threats. We are more prepared than ever to defend ourselves. In previous wars, we gained valuable experience and strengthened our readiness. We are fully capable of defending ourselves effectively.”