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Iran's newly appointed Defense Minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi warned Sunday that the United States and its regional allies would suffer "enormous damage" if Washington resumed military operations against Tehran.
"People can rest assured that they will most likely not dare to attack us," Akhlaghi told reporters shortly after securing parliament's vote of confidence.
"If they (the U.S.) do, they themselves and the region will suffer enormous damage," he added.
His warning came nearly eight months after the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering a conflict that has significantly heightened tensions across the Middle East.
Iranian lawmakers approved Akhlaghi's appointment Sunday, filling a position left vacant following the death of his predecessor during the opening day of the war.
"Members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (parliament) today gave a vote of confidence to Mehrdad Akhlaghi, the nominee for minister of defense and armed forces logistics," Iranian state television reported.
According to the Iranian government's website, Akhlaghi received 237 votes in favor out of 277 votes cast.
He replaces Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike on a leadership compound Feb. 28.
The attack also killed former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian military commanders.
Speaking before the parliamentary vote, Akhlaghi acknowledged the challenges facing Iran's defense establishment.
"If I receive parliament's vote of confidence, responsibility for the Ministry of Defence will fall to me at a sensitive juncture," he said, according to Iran's ISNA news agency.
"Under such circumstances, defending the country requires an accurate understanding of the environment, an understanding of the logic behind developments, the identification of influential trends, and preparedness to face different possible futures," he added.
Akhlaghi is a veteran defense official with 42 years of experience in Iran's Defense Ministry, although he does not hold a military rank.
Since 2013, he has headed the Iranian Defense Industries Organization, the state-run body responsible for weapons production.
The United Nations sanctioned Akhlaghi in 2007 over his alleged involvement in activities related to Iran's nuclear or ballistic missile programs.
His appointment comes as Tehran faces the possibility of renewed U.S. military action, with Akhlaghi signaling that Iran intends to respond forcefully to any resumption of attacks.
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