Israel claims killing of Iran intelligence minister in night strike
Photo: Iran intelligence minister Esmail Khatib
Israel said it had eliminated Iran's intelligence minister Esmail Khatib during an overnight strike. Iran has not yet officially confirmed his death, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, according to Times of Israel.
As Katz said during a briefing, Khatib was killed in Tehran as a result of an overnight strike by the Israeli army.
According to him, "significant surprises" are expected on all fronts today, which will affect the war against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. He emphasized that the intensity of strikes on Iran is increasing.
He also stated that the US-Israel coalition was in the midst of what he described as a decisive victory and added that no one in Iran had immunity.
The minister added that together with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he authorized the military to eliminate other senior Iranian officials without additional approval.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the elimination of Khatib and noted that he was involved in suppressing protests in 2022–2023 and 2026.
At the same time, confirmation of Khatib's death from Iran has not yet been received.
Elimination of Iran leadership
Since February 28, Israel and the United States have been conducting a joint military operation against Iran called Epic Fury.
On the first day of the war, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was eliminated.
His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was wounded and became the new supreme leader of Iran after his father's death.
According to media reports, he is in Moscow, where he is undergoing treatment for injuries at one of the residences of the Kremlin leader.
The Israel Defense Forces also eliminated the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani.
In addition, Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani was killed.
