Tel Aviv: Israel has claimed that it killed Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in a night-time airstrike, according to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. However, Iranian authorities have not yet confirmed the report.
Katz stated that the operation was part of ongoing military actions targeting senior Iranian officials and warned of further “unexpected moves” across multiple fronts in the coming hours. He also said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had granted special approval to target high-ranking Iranian figures.
Khatib is reportedly the third senior Iranian leader to be killed in the past two days. Earlier, Israel claimed responsibility for the killings of senior official Ali Larijani and Revolutionary Guards commander Gholamreza Soleimani. Soleimani was reportedly targeted while staying inside a tent hidden among trees.
These strikes are seen as part of a broader campaign by Israel aimed at dismantling Iran’s top leadership structure and sending a message that no senior figure is beyond reach.
Esmail Khatib, a Shia cleric, held key roles in Iran’s judiciary and intelligence ministry. He had previously served in the Revolutionary Guards during the Iran-Iraq war and was reportedly injured in combat.
In 2022, the United States Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Khatib over allegations of involvement in cyber operations and espionage activities targeting the US and its allies. He was also accused of playing a role in cyberattacks on Albanian government websites and data breaches.
The situation remains tense, with the possibility of further escalation in the region.
