Israel Says Iran Intelligence Minister Killed in Tehran Strike

The Israel Defense Forces announced that Esmaeil Khatib, Iran’s intelligence minister, was killed in a targeted strike in Tehran, describing the operation as a significant blow to the country’s leadership structure.

According to the Israeli military, the operation specifically targeted Esmaeil Khatib in Tehran.

The Israel Defense Forces said his ministry played a central role in supporting the Iranian regime’s “repression and terrorist activities.”

It added that Khatib himself had a “significant role” in the “arrest and killing of protesters” during recent crackdowns inside Iran.

Israel described the strike as part of a wider effort against senior Iranian leadership.

“His elimination joins dozens of other eliminations of senior commanders of the Iranian terrorist regime,” the IDF said, adding that such operations are intended to “significantly degrade the regime’s command and control structures.”

Iran has not yet issued an official statement confirming or denying the death of Esmaeil Khatib.