Iran’s intel cabinet collapses: Israel kills Esmail Khatib as IDF gains green light for senior-level hits

TEL AVIV: In a major escalation of the ongoing regional conflict, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Wednesday the assassination of Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, during an overnight strike in Tehran. Warning that "more surprises" are imminent, Katz declared that the hunt for the regime's leadership will continue until Iran is defeated. The announcement comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly granted the IDF standing authorisation to eliminate senior Iranian officials without seeking further political approval. While the strike marks the third high-profile assassination of an Iranian leader in 48 hours, Tehran has yet to issue a formal response.

The elimination of Esmail Khatib marks the third major loss to Iran’s leadership in just 48 hours. He follows Ali Larijani (67), the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and the nation's top security architect, who was killed during a precise Israeli strike earlier this week.

Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Larijani was neutralised in a missile attack that also claimed the life of Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij Force. Intelligence reports had pinpointed Larijani’s location shortly after his final public appearance on Friday, where he stood alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian during a Quds Day rally in Tehran.

As a trusted confidant of the late Ayatollah Khamenei, Larijani was widely regarded as the primary strategist behind Iran’s military doctrine. Following the earlier deaths of the Supreme Leader and other high-ranking officials in a joint U.S.-Israeli operation, Larijani had been the central figure tasked with maintaining the regime's stability and directing its defensive response.