Esmaeil Khatib: Israel claims killing of Iran’s Intelligence Minister in Tehran Strike, President Masoud Pezeshkian confirms

“ELIMINATED: Esmaeil Khatib, the Iranian regime’s Minister of Intelligence, in a targeted strike in Tehran,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X.

According to the IDF, Khatib played a key role during recent protests across Iran, including overseeing the arrest and alleged killing of protesters, and was involved in what it described as “terrorist activities” targeting Israelis and Americans worldwide. The military also accused him of acting against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests.

Highlighting the role of Iran’s intelligence apparatus, the IDF said the Ministry of Intelligence possesses advanced capabilities, including surveillance, espionage, and covert operations globally.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed Khatib’s death, condemning the strike as a “cowardly assassination.”

In a post on X, he said the attack also killed senior figures including Ali Larijani and Aziz Nasirzadeh, along with members of their families and accompanying personnel.

The development comes amid escalating conflict since February 28, during which Israel claims to have eliminated several high-profile Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commander Gholamreza Soleimani, and IRGC chief Mohammad Pakpour.

Meanwhile, in the United States, Joseph Kent, who had been serving as head of the National Counterterrorism Center, has stepped down, citing strong objections to Washington’s involvement in the conflict.

In his resignation letter, Kent said he could not “in good conscience” support the war, arguing that Iran did not pose an “imminent threat” to the United States. He further claimed the conflict was influenced by pressure from Israel and pro-war narratives within American political and media circles.