The IDF confirmed the killing of Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in an airstrike carried out Tuesday night. Khatib, a cleric, was appointed to his position by virtue of his close ties to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was himself killed in a previous Israeli strike.
He headed the central intelligence body of the terror regime — one of the primary pillars of the regime's repression apparatus. He played a significant role in directing the arrests and killings of protesters during the internal protests that broke out recently and during the hijab protests of 2022–2023.
Khatib led the terror operations of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence against American and Israeli targets around the world, and also against targets inside Israeli territory during Operation Roaring Lion.
This report comes against the backdrop of the elimination of additional senior regime figures, including the commander of the Basij and Ali Larijani, whose funerals are taking place at this time.
