Israel has claimed that it has killed Iran's Intelligence minister Esmail Khatib in an overnight strike, marking another escalation in the ongoing conflict. However, there has been no confirmation from Iran regarding Khatib's death so far.
Israel announces strike on senior Iranian leader
Israel's Defence minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the country had "eliminated" Khatib, NDTV reported. While making the announcement, he also hinted at further developments, saying that "significant surprises are expected throughout this day on all the fronts," without offering details.
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"We will continue to thwart and hunt them all down," Katz said, indicating that more such operations could follow.
Katz also stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has granted the military full authority to target senior Iranian officials without seeking additional approvals.
Series of high-profile assassinations
If confirmed, Khatib's killing would be the third major assassination of an Iranian leader within two days. On Tuesday, Israel said it had eliminated Iran's security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij Force.
These strikes are part of a broader military campaign that began on February 28, which has significantly escalated tensions in the region.
Who was Esmail Khatib?
Esmail Khatib was a Shiite cleric who held multiple roles within Iran's judiciary and intelligence system. He also served in the Revolutionary Guard during the Iran-Iraq War and was injured in combat.
In 2022, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Khatib, citing his role in cyber operations. According to the Treasury, he was involved in activities linked to cyber espionage and ransomware attacks targeting the United States and its allies.
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An Israeli military intelligence official said that such strikes are intended to send a message that "they have no safe place".
The targeting of Iranian leaders has drawn international reactions. Turkey criticised the actions, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stating, "Israel's political assassinations, especially those targeting Iranian statesmen and politicians, are truly illegal activities outside the normal laws of war."
As tensions continue to rise, the situation remains fluid, with developments unfolding across multiple fronts in the region.
