Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani

(Redirected from Mohammad Reza Ashtiani)

Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani (Persian: محمدرضا قرایی آشتیانی) is an Iranian military officer and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces from 28 August 2024. Gharaei Ashtiani served as the former minister of defence in Iran.[1] Ashtiani was sworn in on 25 August 2021, replacing Brigadier General Amir Hatami who held role since 2017.


Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani
Ashtiani in 2024
Native name
محمدرضا قرایی آشتیانی
Allegiance Iran
Service / branchGround Forces
Years of service1980–present
Rank Brigadier General
Unit
Battles / wars
Alma materImam Ali Officers' Academy
AJA University of Command and Staff
Supreme National Defense University
Minister of Defence
In office
25 August 2021 – 21 August 2024
PresidentEbrahim Raisi
Mohammad Mokhber (acting)
Preceded byAmir Hatami
Succeeded byAziz Nasirzadeh
Personal details
Bornc. 1960 (age 63–64)[citation needed]
Tehran, Iran[citation needed]

Military career

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Ashtiani was promoted to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Islamic Republic of Iran (Artesh) on 2 July 2019, following a decree by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Ashtiani replaced Major General Ataollah Salehi. He was selected to be the Minister of Defense by President Ebrahim Raisi and then was approved for the position and took office on 25 August 2021.[citation needed]

Defense Minister

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Ashtiani with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Tehran, 20 September 2023

Ashtiani’s selection for the position was favored by outgoing minister Amir Hatami who called Ashtiani the “best candidate” for position. Ashtiani said that he would prioritize exporting various defense products to other countries around the world.[citation needed]

International Sanctions

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On May 31, 2024, Ashtiani was placed on an EU sanctions list by the EU Council. He is accused of facilitating and providing material support to Russia's war against Ukraine by supplying Iranian weaponry, namely unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to Russia's Armed Forces.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Iran's defense min. congratulates counterparts on Christmas", Mehr News Agency, 1 January 2022.
  2. ^ "COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2024/1604 of 31 May 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran's military support to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region". Official Journal of the European Union.
Government offices
Preceded by Minister of Defense
2021–2024
Succeeded by
Military offices
Preceded by Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces
2019–2021
Succeeded by
Preceded by Second-in-Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army
2005–2008
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Unknown
Second-in-Command of the Ground Force
1999–2005
Succeeded by
Unknown