MIDDLE EAST
Israel says it killed Iran’s intelligence minister in latest strike as war escalates
Israel says an overnight airstrike killed Iran’s intelligence minister Esmail Khatib, marking another high-profile assassination of a senior Iranian official as the war between Israel and Iran intensifies.
2 min read
By Aurax Radio — Updated March 18, 2026
Iran’s intelligence minister Esmail Khatib was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran..
Israel says it has killed Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, in an overnight airstrike in Tehran, in what officials describe as the latest targeted strike against Iran’s senior leadership during the ongoing war.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced the operation on Wednesday, saying Khatib was “eliminated” during the strike. Iran has not yet confirmed the claim.
Khatib had served as Iran’s minister of intelligence since 2021 and was considered a key figure within the country’s security and intelligence apparatus.
The conflict between Israel and Iran has spread across the Middle East, raising fears of a wider regional war.
Israeli strikes have targeted senior Iranian officials and military sites during the conflict.
Growing regional tensions
The conflict between Israel and Iran has expanded across the Middle East, with strikes reported in Lebanon and fears of further escalation involving regional allies and proxy groups.
International leaders have urged restraint, warning that continued attacks on senior officials could further destabilise the region and widen the war.
Despite the warnings, Israeli leaders say their campaign against Iran’s leadership will continue as long as the conflict persists.
Sources: Fox News, BBC News, Reuters, AP News