Israel on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the targeted killing of Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, in overnight airstrikes, marking the third high-profile assassination in less than 24 hours. The strike follows similar attacks on former Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced the operation, stating: “ELIMINATED: Esmaeil Khatib, the Iranian terrorist regime Minister of Intelligence, in a targeted strike in Tehran.” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also confirmed the killing. However, Iranian authorities have not officially commented on the report.

According to the IDF, Khatib played a central role in suppressing recent protests in Iran, including the Mahsa Amini demonstrations of 2022–2023, and orchestrated terrorist activities targeting Israelis and Americans globally. The IDF described the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence as a powerful institution overseeing surveillance, espionage, and covert operations worldwide.

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Khatib was appointed Iran’s Intelligence Minister in 2021 and was seen as a close ally of the late Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Reports indicate that months before widespread unrest, Khatib had warned at a Security Council meeting about forces allegedly attempting to destabilize the Supreme Leader’s position.

Despite the assassinations, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the deaths of Larijani, Soleimani, and Khatib would not affect the stability of the Iranian regime, emphasizing that the political structure of the country remains resilient regardless of the presence or absence of individual officials.

These developments underscore escalating tensions in the region and highlight Israel’s ongoing operations against key Iranian figures linked to the Supreme Leader’s inner circle.

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