President Masoud Pezeshkian has pledged that Iran will not bow to aggressors, as he addressed Parliament to defend his pick for defense minister, Mehrdad Akhlaghi.

During deliberations on confirmation of Akhlaghi as the nation’s next defense minister on Sunday, the chief executive said the nominee’s academic qualifications and professional record within the Defense Ministry made him well suited to further strengthen the Islamic Republic’s defensive capabilities.

Akhlaghi’s qualifications “are beyond question,” Pezeshkian said, pointing to the former’s collaboration with prominent figures across the nation’s defense industry, such as martyred senior Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) commanders, Brigadiers General Hassan Tehrani-Moqaddam and Amir-Ali Hajizadeh.

The collaboration “demonstrates his (Akhlaghi’s) efforts and commitment to serving the Islamic Revolution,” the president said, describing his experience as an asset at a time when the Islamic Republic needs specialized expertise to further bolster its defensive might.

He pointed to Akhlaghi’s having long been on enemies’ sanctions lists as proof of his contribution to the country’s defense industry.

‘Iran will defend its land at any cost’

Elsewhere in his remarks, Pezeshkian credited Iran’s Armed Forces with a resolute defense of the country’s territory in the face of US-Israeli aggression, saying that their capabilities strengthened deterrence against foreign aggression.

Reiterating Iran’s commitment to territorial defense, he said the country has no intention of invading other nations, but would respond forcefully to any aggression.

“We have not attacked any country, nor do we intend to invade any territory. However, in the face of any aggression, we will stand firm with strength and courage, even at the cost of our lives,” the president stated.

“We will not, under any circumstances, yield to the excessive demands and bullying of aggressor countries. On the contrary, through solidarity, perseverance, and resistance, we will continue along our path to the very end.”

The president, however, stressed that Iran’s defenses extended beyond military hardware, identifying national solidarity and public support as essential to confronting external pressure. If the unity and cohesion “continues, no power will be able to bring us to our knees,” he said.