Javad Fakoori

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Javad Fakoori (Persian: جواد فکوری; 3 January 1936 – 29 September 1981) was an Iranian military officer and politician who served as Iran’s defense minister from September 1980 to August 1981. He joined the Iranian Air Force in 1958 as a fighter pilot on the F-100, later flying the F-4. He rose through the ranks, commanding at the flight, squadron, wing and group levels, and was promoted to colonel in 1978. After the 1979 revolution, he earned the trust of leaders like Ayatollah Khomeini and Rafsanjani. With Khomeini’s approval, he was appointed defense minister in 1980. Fakoori led the Air Force during the Iran–Iraq War and took part in major operations such as Kaman 99, the attack on H‑3 and Operation Scorch Sword. He died in a plane crash near Tehran on 29 September 1981, along with other senior officers including Valiollah Fallahi and Mousa Namjoo. He was posthumously promoted to major general.