Israel says that Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib was “eliminated” in a strike overnight.
Israel has claimed responsibility for the killing of Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, in what it described as a targeted overnight strike, marking a significant escalation in tensions with Iran.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, announced on Wednesday that Khatib had been “eliminated” during the operation. However, Iranian authorities have yet to confirm the reported death.
The claim comes amid heightened hostilities between the two countries, with both sides engaged in an increasingly direct confrontation following weeks of regional instability.
Katz also disclosed that he and Benjamin Netanyahu have granted the military expanded authority to carry out further targeted strikes against senior Iranian officials without requiring additional approvals.
The directive signals a potential shift in Israel’s military posture, suggesting a more aggressive approach to dismantling Iran’s leadership structure amid ongoing tensions.
