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Iran's Director of Intelligence and Security Esmail Khatib was reportedly killed in an overnight Israeli precision strike in Tehran, a senior Israeli official confirmed to Fox News, in the latest high-profile assassination of a senior Iranian official since the war began.
The Israeli Air Force reportedly targeted Iran's Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in an overnight airstrike in Tehran, an Israeli official cited by media claimed.
The results of the strike are still being assessed by Tel Aviv, as there is no confirmation or denial from the Iranian side so far.
The strike was first reported by Iran International and subsequently confirmed by an Israeli official. Israeli media reported that Khatib is described as the closest figure to new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Iran's intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran overnight, while adding that "significant surprises" are expected today that will "escalate the war" with Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
"During this day, significant surprises are expected across all arenas that will escalate the war we are conducting against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon," he says during a security assessment, according to remarks provided by his office.
"The intensity of the strikes in Iran is increasing. The Iranian intelligence minister Khatib was also eliminated overnight," he says.
Katz also noted that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have also "authorized the Israeli army to eliminate any senior Iranian figure... without the need for additional approval."
Iran's Director of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) Esmail Khatib was killed overnight in a precision strike, a senior Israeli official also told Fox News.
"This man had American blood on his hands. His network specifically targeted current and former U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump," the official added.
The U.S. government had been offering a reward for information on Khatib.
"Under this reward offer, RFJ is seeking information on the following individuals," rewardsforjustice.net notes, including Khatib in the list.
Regional escalations continued to rage as Israel and the U.S. have continued a joint offensive on Iran since Feb. 28, killing so far around 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.
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