Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani
Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani | |
|---|---|
| محمدرضا قرایی آشتیانی | |
Ashtiani in 2024 | |
| Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics | |
| In office 25 August 2021 – 21 August 2024 | |
| President | Ebrahim Raisi Mohammad Mokhber (acting) |
| Preceded by | Amir Hatami |
| Succeeded by | Aziz Nasirzadeh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1960 (age 64–65) Tehran, Imperial State of Iran |
| Alma mater | Imam Ali Officers' Academy AJA University of Command and Staff Supreme National Defense University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Iran |
| Branch/service | Ground Forces |
| Years of service | 1980–present |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | |
| Battles/wars | |
Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani (Persian: محمدرضا قرایی آشتیانی; born 1960) is an Iranian military officer who has served as the deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces since 28 August 2024. Ashtiani served as the former minister of defence in Iran, and was sworn in on 25 August 2021, replacing Brigadier General Amir Hatami who had held the role since 2017.[1]
Due to his connections to the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of Russia and Iranian defense industry, Ashtiani was sanctioned by the United States Department of Treasury.[2][3]
Military career
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.
Defense Minister
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.
International sanctions
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.[4]
References
- ^ "Iran's defense min. congratulates counterparts on Christmas", Mehr News Agency, 1 January 2022.
- ^ "EU Eyes Sanctioning Iran's Defense Minister Over Drone Shipments". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ "Treasury Sanctions Actors Supporting Iran's Missile and UAV Programs". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 2025-02-08. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ "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.