General Abdollahi made the remarks during a meeting with Mehrdad Akhlaqi, Iran’s proposed minister of defense, where they discussed requirements for strengthening the country’s defense capabilities, developing the defense industry, and improving support for the Armed Forces.
Highlighting the importance and sensitivity of the Defense Ministry’s mission in meeting the needs of the Armed Forces, General Abdollahi described Akhlaqi’s managerial experience and specialized background as suited to current conditions and requirements. He also deemed Akhlaqi’s selection appropriate in view of the ministry’s responsibilities and his relevant experience in the defense industry.
The top general emphasized the need to capitalize on domestic capacities and the expertise of Iranian specialists, identifying the development of strategic technologies, continued production of defense equipment and weapons, and reinforcement of industrial infrastructure as essential to improving the country’s defense capabilities.
General Abdollahi also highlighted the Defense Ministry’s strategic role in maintaining and enhancing the Armed Forces’ readiness, stressing the need to coordinate operational requirements with the country’s industrial capacities.
Achieving national defense objectives, he said, requires coherent management, careful planning, and maximum use of domestic scientific, technological, and industrial capabilities.
For his part, Akhlaqi underscored the need to maintain effective support for the Armed Forces, ensure the stability of supply chains for defense equipment, sustain production, and upgrade technological capabilities.
Akhlaqi further emphasized cooperation between the industrial sector and the Armed Forces’ operational units, as well as the use of capacities across the government, private sector, and knowledge-based companies, to meet the country’s defense needs and strengthen indigenous capabilities.