Profile: Iran’s new Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Aziz Nassirzadeh a man of action

By Pouriya Kousheshiyan

Brigadier General Aziz Nassirzadeh, nominated as Minister of Defense by President Masoud Pezeshkian, secured the confidence of the parliament with a record number of votes.

With 281 lawmakers approving his nomination, the veteran military figure now holds the distinction of receiving the highest number of votes ever cast for a ministerial nominee by the members of Iran’s top legislative body.

Born in 1965 in Sarab, a city known for its rugs in East Azerbaijan province in northwestern Iran, the 59-year-old Nassirzadeh began his career in 1982 when he joined the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force at the onset of the Holy Defense War against Saddam Hussein-led Iraq.

After graduating from the Air Force Pilot School, he served as an F-14 fighter pilot. Following specialized training, he joined the F-14 tactical battalion.

During the war against the West-backed Baathist regime, he flew numerous missions as an F-14 pilot, participating in various military operations against the Iraqi dictator’s forces.

After the war ended, Brigadier General Nassirzadeh continued to serve in various capacities within the Iranian Air Force.

His most significant roles included serving as the military attaché to Italy, managing electronic warfare, and holding key positions such as Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Operations, Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Plans and Programs, and Deputy Chief of Air Force Intelligence.

From 2009 onward, Brigadier General Nassirzadeh transitioned into senior management and command roles within the Iranian Army’s armed forces. Between 2009 and 2017, he served as the Deputy Coordinator of the Air Force, known as the Law Enforcement Headquarters, where he was responsible for coordinating the various elements and departments of the Air Force.

In 2017-2018, he served as the Deputy Commander of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2018, by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Brigadier General Nassirzadeh was appointed as the Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.

According to Iranian law, commanders of the armed forces are appointed directly by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution through a decree.

During his three-year tenure as Air Force Commander, Brigadier General Nassirzadeh excelled in management and command. In August 2021, upon the recommendation of General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and by the decree of the Leader, he was appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.

This position, the second most powerful in the Iranian armed forces, expanded his responsibilities and underscored the Air Force’s strategic importance to Iran's military, particularly within the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army.

His tenure marked a significant transformation in the Air Force and Air Defense Force, including the introduction of new drones and the unveiling of various defense products.

Two key points stand out regarding his nomination as Defense Minister and the subsequent parliamentary vote of confidence.

First is the absence of any opposition from lawmakers to Brigadier General Nassirzadeh, and second is his record-breaking number of votes among all ministerial nominees. ]

These factors highlight the parliament's confidence in his leadership and their recognition of his exemplary performance in prior roles.

In his first official speech as the Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, Brigadier General Nassirzadeh stated that the ministry's goal is "active deterrence," aligning with the Islamic Republic's defense doctrine, and emphasized the importance of monitoring advanced technologies.

Given his extensive experience as Air Force Commander and impressive track record, the new defense ministry doctrine will emphasize "defensive deterrence" with a significant focus on air power.

The ministry's efforts will likely be directed towards enhancing the production of defense and military products, particularly for the Air Force.

This includes developing and increasing drone production, improving integrated defense systems, training skilled pilots for next-generation fighters, and constructing and maintaining current and future fighters for the country’s Air Force.

Brigadier General Nassirzadeh is also expected to focus on marketing and selling Iranian-made weapons and equipment to other countries more openly and officially.

It is widely believed that his appointment bodes well for Iran’s defense industry as well as for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid heightened tensions in the region.

Pouriya Kousheshiyan is a Tehran-based military affairs analyst and writer.

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