Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmaeil Khatib, has reported been killed by Israeli forces in a military strike carried out overnight on March 17‑18, 2026, according to statements from Israeli officials.
The Israeli Defence Minister said that Khatib was hit during the operation in Tehran and that the military now has wider authority to target other senior Iranian figures. Iran has not yet confirmed his death.
Khatib had served as Iran’s Minister of Intelligence since August 2021.
He was a cleric and long‑time figure within Iran’s political and security circles, born in 1961 in Qaen, Iran, and closely linked to the country’s leadership.
As head of the intelligence ministry, he oversaw Iran’s internal and foreign intelligence work.
The reported killing of Khatib takes place amid a broader conflict between Israel and Iran that has escalated sharply in recent weeks. Other top Iranian leaders, including Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, were also reported killed in related attacks.
In response to earlier strikes, Iran has launched missiles and drones against Israel and countries in the region.
International reactions have varied, with many countries calling for de‑escalation while the fighting continues to spread.
