The Israeli military announced Wednesday that it eliminated Esmaeil Khatib, Iran's Minister of Intelligence, in a targeted overnight strike in Tehran. Khatib had served since 2021 after roles in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The killing follows the death of another senior Iranian official the previous day.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Khatib 'played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest & killing of protestors and led terrorist activities against Israelis & Americans around the world.' The IDF added that he 'operated against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests (2022–2023).' The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence 'possesses advanced intelligence capabilities, overseeing surveillance, espionage, and the execution of covert operations worldwide, particularly against Israeli and Iranian citizens.' Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz first reported Khatib's death, saying attacks on Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon would escalate. 'On this day, significant surprises are expected across all arenas that will escalate the war we are conducting against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon,' Katz said. 'The intensity of the strikes in Iran is increasing. The Iranian intelligence minister Khatib was also eliminated overnight.' The U.S. State Department had offered a $10 million reward for information on Khatib. This comes one day after the IDF eliminated Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The IDF described Larijani as a 'veteran and senior figure within the Iranian regime leadership' close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who 'oversaw the massacre that was carried out against Iranian protestors.' Iranian officials confirmed Larijani's death, calling him a 'martyr.' Larijani had issued threats against President Donald Trump and American troops in the Middle East. Iran has not confirmed Khatib's death.
