Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced that the head of Iran's intelligence agency, Esmail Khatib, was killed during a military operation. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, which cited reports from The Times of Israel, Khatib was targeted during an Israeli strike on Tehran overnight.
Minister Katz stated that the operation is part of a broader strategy, warning that unexpected developments could occur across all fronts throughout the day. "This will lead to the intensification of combat operations against Iran and Hezbollah," the Defense Minister added. He further noted that, together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he has authorized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to act against any high-ranking Iranian official without requiring additional prior approval.
The elimination of such a high-ranking official marks a significant escalation in the ongoing regional tensions between Israel and Iran. Esmail Khatib had served as Iran's Minister of Intelligence, a role central to the country's internal security and foreign intelligence operations. This development follows a series of precision strikes aimed at degrading the leadership capabilities of entities that Israel identifies as direct threats to its national security. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as the potential for further military engagement in the Middle East remains high.
