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Iran Confirms Death of Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib

Published March 18, 2026, 17:15
Iran Confirms Death of Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib

The President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, confirmed the death of Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib, along with other senior regime officials, including Ali Larijani and Aziz Nasirzadeh. The announcement came after an Israeli attack on Tehran, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have taken responsibility for. According to the IDF, Khatib was killed in a precise airstrike. Khatib was the head of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, which the IDF describes as a central body of repression and terrorism. President Pezeshkian expressed his grief over the death of the officials and emphasized Iran's commitment to continue its struggle with even greater determination. The assassination was described as “cowardly” by the president. Esmaeil Khatib had played a significant role in suppressing protests in Iran, including the hijab protests of 2022-2023, according to the IDF. His death is a significant blow to the Iranian regime and is expected to have implications for Iran's domestic and foreign policy.