Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani

Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani is an Iranian military officer who has served as the deputy General Staff of the [Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran|chief of staff] of the Islamic [Republic of Iran Armed Forces|Iranian Armed Forces] since 2024. A position he previously held from 2019 to 2021.Gharaei Ashtiani was the minister of defence and armed forces logistics from 2021 to 2024, under presidency of Ebrahim Raisi.
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.

Military career

Ashtiani was promoted to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Islamic Republic of Iran 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.