The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it has eliminated Iran’s Minister of Intelligence, Esmail Khatib.
“Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest & killing of protestors and led terrorist activities against Israelis & Americans around the world. Similarly, he operated against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests (2022–2023),” the IDF wrote on social media. “The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence possesses advanced intelligence capabilities, overseeing surveillance, espionage, and the execution of covert operations worldwide, particularly against Israeli and Iranian citizens.”
🔴ELIMINATED: Esmaeil Khatib, the Iranian terrorist regime Minister of Intelligence, in a targeted strike in Tehran.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 18, 2026
Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest & killing of protestors and led terrorist activities against… pic.twitter.com/654lpYCZ1c
The news follows the Israeli military announcing that it killed Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and the man the Israel Defense Forces described as Iran’s “effective” leader since the war began.
“Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership, and was a close associate of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei,” the IDF said in a statement posted to social media. “During the most recent wave of protests against the Iranian terror regime, Larijani personally oversaw the massacre that was carried out against Iranian protestors.”
The news comes less than a week after Larijani publicly threatened President Donald Trump on social media. Trump had warned Iran it would face strikes if it moved to block oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Larijani responded: “The Ashura-loving nation of Iran does not fear your paper threats. Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Watch out for yourself, lest you be eliminated.”
This article originally appeared on American Faith and is reposted with permission.
