Israel has announced the killing of Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, in what it described as a targeted overnight strike, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two countries.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the development on Wednesday, stating that the operation successfully eliminated the senior Iranian official. However, Iranian authorities have yet to officially confirm Khatib’s death.
Katz said the Israeli military had “eliminated” Khatib during the strike, while warning that further operations could follow. “Significant surprises are expected throughout this day on all the fronts,” he added.
The reported killing comes amid a broader Israeli campaign targeting top figures within Iran’s political and security establishment. Khatib’s death, if confirmed, would mark one of the most high-profile assassinations in recent days and the third such operation against senior Iranian officials within a short span.
Khatib, who had served as Iran’s intelligence minister since 2021, was regarded as a key figure in the country’s security architecture and a close ally of Iran’s leadership.
The strike follows earlier reports of the killings of other high-ranking Iranian officials, including security chief Ali Larijani and a senior paramilitary commander, in what analysts describe as a sustained effort to weaken Iran’s command structure.
Israeli officials have signalled an expansion of their operational scope, with Katz noting that the military has been granted broader authority to target senior Iranian figures without prior approval.
The development underscores intensifying hostilities in the region, raising concerns over further retaliation and a potential widening of the conflict across the Middle East.
