Khatib’s death marks the third senior Iranian official targeted in recent Israeli strikes, escalating Middle East tension
New Delhi: Iran’s Minister of Intelligence, Esmaeil Khatib, has been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran, according to Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Katz. Khatib, a key figure in Iran’s security apparatus, played a major role in suppressing domestic protests, including during the Mahsa Amini unrest.
This strike makes Khatib the third senior Iranian official to be eliminated in Israeli attacks over the past few days. Earlier, top security council chief Ali Larijani and an IRGC commander were also killed, highlighting Israel’s focus on the upper echelons of Iran’s national security and intelligence leadership.
The rapid succession of targeted strikes represents a significant escalation in the already intensifying Middle East conflict, raising concerns over potential wider regional instability. Analysts note that the precision and scale of Israel’s campaign indicate a strategic effort to weaken Iran’s security infrastructure at its highest levels.
The incident is expected to inflame tensions between Tehran and Jerusalem, with both sides closely monitoring the situation as the possibility of broader hostilities looms.
International observers have called for restraint, warning that further targeted attacks could destabilise the region and complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts.
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