Tel Aviv [Israel], March 19 (ANI): The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had killed Esmaeil Khatib, Iran’s Minister of Intelligence.
The IDF said Khatib operated against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests from 2022 to 2023.
In a post on X on Wednesday, the IDF said, “Eliminated: Esmaeil Khatib, the Iranian terrorist regime Minister of Intelligence, in a targeted strike in Tehran. Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest and killing of protesters, and led terrorist activities against Israelis and Americans around the world. Similarly, he operated against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests (2022–2023). 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.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump departed for Dover Air Force Base, where he will attend the dignified transfer of six American service members killed in the crash of a refueling aircraft as part of Operation Epic Fury.
The U.S. military’s combat command responsible for operations in the Middle East, also known as CENTCOM, shared an update on its campaign against Iran, stating that it has struck more than 7,800 targets and damaged or destroyed more than 120 Iranian vessels.
“CENTCOM forces are striking targets to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing locations that pose an imminent threat,” it said.
Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new leader, expressed condolences over the death of Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and the leader’s representative in that council.
In a series of posts on X, he said, “With deep sorrow, I received the grievous news of the martyrdom of Dr. Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and the Leader’s Representative in that Council, along with the martyrdom of his worthy son and several of his colleagues. He was a man of knowledge, foresight, and wisdom. He was committed and possessed diverse experience in political, military, security, cultural, and administrative fields. Nearly five decades of active service at different levels in the Islamic system had shaped him into an eminent figure. Without a doubt, the assassination of such a figure attests to his importance and the enmity harbored by the enemies of Islam toward him.” (ANI)
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