Iranian Intelligence Chief ‘Eliminated’ In Overnight Israeli Strike

The Israeli military said Wednesday that Iranian intelligence chief Esmaeil Khatib was killed in a targeted overnight strike in Tehran. 

Khatib was appointed Iran’s Minister of Intelligence in 2021 by the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after holding several roles in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Khatib would be the latest senior Iranian official to be eliminated in an Israeli strike. 

“Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest & killing of protestors and led terrorist activities against Israelis & Americans around the world,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. “Similarly, he operated against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests (2022–2023).”

“The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence possesses advanced intelligence capabilities, overseeing surveillance, espionage, and the execution of covert operations worldwide, particularly against Israeli and Iranian citizens,” the IDF added. 

Khatib’s death, which has not been confirmed by Iranian officials, was first reported by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who said that attacks on Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon would continue to be escalated. 

“On this day, significant surprises are expected across all arenas that will escalate the war we are conducting against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon,” he said, according to the Times of Israel. “The intensity of the strikes in Iran is increasing. The Iranian intelligence minister Khatib was also eliminated overnight.”

The State Department offered a $10 million reward for information on Khatib. 

The announcement of Khatib’s killing comes just one day after the IDF eliminated Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official and secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. 

“Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership, and was a close associate of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei,” the IDF said in a social media post. “During the most recent wave of protests against the Iranian terror regime, Larijani personally oversaw the massacre that was carried out against Iranian protestors.”

Larijani’s death was confirmed by Iranian officials who referred to him as a servant of God and a “martyr.” 

He was taken out after issuing threats directed at President Donald Trump and American troops in the Middle East.