The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that Esmaeil Khatib, Iran’s Intelligence Minister, was killed in a targeted strike in Tehran. The claim was made in an official post on X.
According to the IDF, Khatib played a key role in handling recent protests in Iran, including actions against demonstrators. It also alleged that he was involved in operations targeting Israeli and American interests globally, as well as surveillance and intelligence activities within Iran.
🔴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 & killing of protestors and led terrorist activities against… pic.twitter.com/654lpYCZ1c
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 18, 2026
In a separate statement, the IDF said that Ali Larijani, a senior figure in Iran’s leadership, was also killed in a strike. It described him as a close associate of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a long-standing member of the country’s leadership structure.
The IDF further claimed that Larijani was involved in overseeing actions against protestors during recent unrest in Iran.
🔴Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and the regime’s effective leader, has been eliminated.
Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership, and was a close associate… pic.twitter.com/kBIgSSGBm0
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 17, 2026
Additionally, the Israeli military stated that Gholamreza Soleimani was killed. He was the commander of the Basij unit. The strike was carried out in a separate aerial operation by Israeli forces.
According to the IDF, Soleimani led the Basij for several years. He was associated with operations aimed at controlling protests. These included the use of force and arrests.
🔴 COMMANDER OF THE BASIJ UNIT ELIMINATED
Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years.
Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence,… pic.twitter.com/aJ0dNtCFz0
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 17, 2026
Tensions between Israel and Iran remain high, with the situation continuing to develop. Further updates are expected as more details emerge.
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