Israeli defence minister confirms death of Iran's intelligence chief PHOTO

Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib was killed in overnight strikes on Tehran, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed on March 18, according to Israeli media outlet N12.

Katz also stated during a situation assessment: “Surprises are expected today across all theatres of operation.”

The targeted killing followed a directive issued a day earlier by Israel’s political leadership to the security establishment, allowing the elimination of senior Iranian or Hezbollah figures without additional approval if sufficient intelligence and operational opportunity exist.

Khatib, a cleric, had served as Iran’s intelligence minister since 2021 and was considered a close associate of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

He previously held senior roles within Iran’s intelligence apparatus and judicial system, including positions in the Ministry of Intelligence and the influential Astan Quds Razavi foundation.

By Jeyhun Aghazada