Political Career
He was posted to the Parliament and Ministry of Defense by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in August 2005. He received 191 to 62 of votes and became Minister in August 9, 2005. He was minister until August 2009, when Ahmadinejad was reelected and appointed Mohammad-Najjar as Minister of Interior. He received 178 to 72 of votes and became Minister of Interior to succeed Sadegh Mahsouli. In his ministry, Abdolmalek Rigi the Head of Terrorist group of Jundullah was arrested.
The tough and violent approach taken by Najjar during the repression of the protests after the 2009 elections put him and other senior Iranian officials on the U.S. designation for serious human rights abuses involving Iran. The Fact Sheet issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury stated the following about Najjar:
| “ | Mostafa Mohammad Najjar was appointed the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces in charge of Police Forces in order to "ensure order and security" in November 2009. He was in charge of the government response to protests on Ashura, one of the holiest days in Shia Islam, which in 2009 coincided with December 27, 2009. State media reported 37 dead and hundreds arrested. He is currently the Minister of Interior and, as such, has authority over all police forces, Interior Ministry security agents, and plainclothes agents. | ” |
During his tenure as Minister of Defense, Najjar frequently attacked the West's nuclear abilities and fiercely defended Iran's right to advance its peaceful nuclear energy program. According to his military philosophy, missile capabilities play an important role in the defense of Iran and in its overall military abilities. Najjar believes that "they serve the interests of stability and peace in the region" and are an integral part "…of the power of defense of the Islamic world."
According to Najjar (October 2007), "Iranian missiles are not a threat to any country, and they will only fall on the heads of those who attack Iranian territory." In response to the test of the long-range surface-to-surface Sajil missile, Najjar said it was designed "…for deterrence and to safeguard the stability of the region." Throughout his tenure, Najjar has focused on Iran's military-technological independence and on ensuring the country would not be dependent on the supply of weapons systems from other countries. This was emphasized in his statement upon handing over the reigns of his position to his successor (September 2009):
| “ | As a soldier, I am happy to move to a new front to serve my country, but on the other hand, it is hard for me to leave after 30 years of service in the Ministry of Defense... I am happy to leave the Ministry of Defense with the armed forces at the peak of their strength and abilities. Imam Khomeini had a divine calling, namely to accomplish something tremendous in the world by establishing an Islamic regime based on Wali Fakih (guardianship of Islamic jurists). The Islamic regime in Iran offers a new and different example for the world in all areas, particularly with respect to defense and the military. Thanks to the Islamic regime, we have reached a point where our scientists alone produce everything our armed forces require. Today, the entire world, from east to west, is astounded by Iran's many achievements. We have been so successful and racked up many achievements to our credit on land, sea and air, submarines and space, and particularly in the field of space. I am leaving the Ministry of Defense, when we no longer need foreigners, and we are even able to export some of our achievements. | ” |
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