Info:
Mohammad Reza Ashtiani – Senior Iranian military appointees of the Supreme Leader. Ashtiani was appointed by the Supreme Leader as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian armed forces in July 2019;
Iranian defense minister Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani (Ashtiani) has overseen MODAFL’s supply of UAVs and other weapons to Venezuela. Ashtiani also manages an Iran-Venezuela oil venture that finances defense projects. Ashtiani was previously designated pursuant to E.O. 13876 on January 10, 2020, for being a person appointed to a position as a state official of Iran by the Supreme Leader of Iran.
Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani (Persian: محمدرضا قرایی آشتیانی) is a member of the Iranian military with the rank of Brigadier General who has served as the minister of defence since 2021. Ashtiani was sworn in on August 25, 2021, replacing Brigadier General Amir Hatami who held role since 2017.
Military career
Ashtiani was promoted to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Islamic Republic of Iran (Artesh) on July 2, 2019, following a decree by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Ashtiani replaced Major General Ataollah Salehi.
He was chosen to be the Minister of Defense by President Ebrahim Raisi and then was approved for the position and took office on August 25, 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 also said that he would prioritize exporting various defense products to other countries around the world.
Also Known As:
Ashtiani, Mohammed Reza Gharayi
Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani
Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani
ASHTIANI, Mohammed Reza Gharayi
Born:
1960
Country:
Iran
Nationality:
Iranian
Reason for the color:
» Added to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on October 18, 2023 pursuant to Executive Order 13949 for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, MODAFL;
» Added to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on January 10, 2020 pursuant to Executive Order 13876 for being persons appointed to a position as a state official of Iran by the Supreme Leader;