Israel Strikes Again: Iran’s Intelligence Minister Reportedly Dead

Israel has announced that it killed Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, in an overnight airstrike, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz disclosed on Wednesday that Khatib was “eliminated” in a targeted military operation carried out overnight. The claim, however, has not yet been officially confirmed by Iranian authorities.

According to Israeli officials, the strike forms part of a broader campaign targeting Iran’s top leadership. Katz further indicated that Israel’s military has been granted continued authorization to strike high-ranking Iranian officials without requiring additional political approval.

Khatib’s reported killing comes just days after Israel claimed responsibility for the deaths of other senior Iranian figures, including top security official Ali Larijani and paramilitary commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

The development signals a sharp intensification of hostilities in the region, with both sides engaging in retaliatory attacks. Iran has already launched missile strikes targeting Israel and several Gulf countries, raising fears of a wider regional war.

Analysts warn that the continued targeting of high-ranking officials could further destabilize the Middle East, as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions remain limited.