Iran Reports Intelligence Chief Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Tehran

Iran's President has confirmed that Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib was killed in an overnight Israeli airstrike on Tehran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the operation as part of an expanding military campaign against Iranian leadership.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian announced Wednesday that the country’s Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib was killed in an Israeli airstrike, as Israeli officials described the attack as part of a broader military offensive targeting high-ranking Iranian leaders.

In a post on social media platform X, Pezeshkian expressed grief over multiple casualties within Iran’s government and security apparatus. The president listed Khatib among several officials who have been killed, including Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, who died Tuesday, and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed February 28. Pezeshkian also mentioned the deaths of family members, support staff, and military personnel including Basij forces.

The 65-year-old Khatib had served as Iran’s intelligence minister since 2021, when former President Ebrahim Raisi appointed him to the role, according to reports from the semi-official Mehr news agency. He continued in that capacity under the current government. His previous experience included working in the office of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and directing the judiciary’s protection and intelligence division.

Pezeshkian condemned the attacks, describing them as “cowardly assassinations.”

“I firmly believe that their path will continue with even greater resolve than before,” the Iranian president stated.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed earlier Wednesday that Khatib died in the nighttime air assault on Tehran. Speaking during a security briefing, Katz indicated that Israeli operations are expanding in scope.

“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 in a statement from his office.

He continued: “The intensity of the strikes in Iran is increasing. The Iranian intelligence minister Khatib was also eliminated overnight.”