Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmaeil Khatib, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran. Katz also mentioned the likelihood of “significant surprises” unfolding in the ongoing conflict with Iran and Hezbollah. He emphasized that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have the authority to target senior Iranian officials without additional approval.
Katz revealed that the IDF carried out a targeted strike in Tehran, eliminating Khatib, who played a key role in suppressing protests in Iran and orchestrating anti-Israeli and anti-American activities globally. The IDF highlighted the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence’s involvement in surveillance, espionage, and covert operations against various targets.
In a separate incident, Israel claimed the elimination of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary, Ali Larijani. The IDF described Larijani as a prominent figure in the Iranian regime and a close confidant of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The IDF also reported the death of Basij Unit commander Gholamreza Soleimani, known for leading repressive operations in Iran.
