Israel Claims Killing of Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in Overnight Airstrike on Tehran, No Iranian Confirmation Yet
On the night between March 17 and March 18, 2026, Israel carried out a sudden military airstrike in Tehran, the capital of Iran, in which it claims that Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib was killed. The announcement was made publicly by Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz during a press briefing in Jerusalem. Speaking in his official capacity, Katz stated that the strike had specifically targeted Khatib and emphasized that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had authorized the Israeli military to act against any senior Iranian officials without requiring additional approvals. This reflects a notable expansion of Israel’s operational policy regarding high-level targets. The timing of the strike was described as “overnight,” indicating that it occurred during the late hours of March 17 and extended into the early hours of March 18. Although Israel has confirmed the operation and its intended target, Iranian authorities have **not yet confirmed the death of Esmai...