Iran's newly appointed defence minister, Mehrdad Akhlaghi, issued a stern warning to the United States and its regional allies against resuming military actions targeting Iran. Speaking to reporters shortly after receiving parliamentary approval, Akhlaghi cautioned that any renewed aggression would result in "enormous damage" to both the United States and Middle Eastern countries.

Akhlaghi's statement reflects heightened tensions in the region following the February 28 attack attributed to US and Israeli forces, which resulted in the death of his predecessor, Aziz Nasirzadeh, as well as the former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The circumstances surrounding Khamenei's death have not been independently verified and remain a subject of controversy.

Parliament's endorsement of Akhlaghi’s appointment underscores Tehran's intent to maintain a strong defensive posture amid ongoing geopolitical friction. The new defence minister emphasized deterrence, asserting that adversaries would likely reconsider any plans to initiate military strikes against Iran given the potential consequences.

The warning comes amid ongoing concerns over escalating hostilities in the Middle East, where US and Israeli operations targeting Iranian military capabilities have intensified in recent years. Iran has repeatedly condemned such actions, framing them as violations of its sovereignty.

While the United States has not publicly responded to Akhlaghi’s remarks, officials have consistently maintained that their military presence in the region aims to ensure stability and counter threats they attribute to Iran and its proxies.

Akhlaghi’s appointment and subsequent statements highlight the fragile security environment and the risk of further confrontation, underscoring the challenges facing diplomatic efforts to address long-standing tensions between Iran and Western powers.