Israel Claims Killing of Iran Intelligence Chief in Tehran Strike, Signals Escalation

Jerusalem, March 2026 : Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday claimed that Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib was killed in an overnight Israeli airstrike in Tehran, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two regional powers.

Speaking during a high-level security assessment, Katz warned of further intensification of hostilities, stating that “significant surprises” were expected across multiple fronts. According to Israeli media reports, he indicated that the conflict involving Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon could enter a more aggressive phase in the coming days.

“The intensity of the strikes in Iran is increasing,” Katz said, adding that the elimination of Khatib was part of a broader strategy targeting key figures within Iran’s security establishment.

Katz also revealed that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have granted the Israel Defense Forces expanded operational authority to target senior Iranian officials without requiring additional approvals. This move signals a shift toward faster and more aggressive military decision-making amid the escalating confrontation.

The IDF confirmed the targeted killing, describing Khatib as a central figure in Iran’s intelligence apparatus. In an official statement, the Israeli military accused him of overseeing surveillance operations, espionage activities, and covert missions against Israeli and American interests globally. It also alleged his involvement in crackdowns on domestic protests, including those linked to the Mahsa Amini protests.

The reported strike comes shortly after Israel claimed responsibility for killing another top Iranian figure, Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Iranian media later confirmed his death, stating that he was killed along with his son in a separate airstrike in Tehran.

According to the IDF, Larijani was one of the most senior and influential leaders within Iran’s political structure and a close associate of Ali Khamenei. Israeli officials alleged that he played a key role in directing operations against Israel and in managing internal security measures during periods of unrest.

In another significant development, the IDF announced the killing of Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij volunteer force. The Basij, a paramilitary wing of Iran’s security structure, has been widely associated with enforcing internal security and suppressing protests.

Israeli authorities claimed that under Soleimani’s leadership, the Basij carried out extensive repression, including arrests and the use of force against civilians during demonstrations. Reports indicated that he was killed in an aerial strike carried out by Israeli fighter jets in Tehran.

These developments come amid rapidly rising tensions in the Middle East, following sustained Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and retaliatory actions by Iran and its allies. The conflict has increasingly expanded beyond conventional battlefields, involving intelligence operations, targeted assassinations, and strategic strikes on high-value assets.

Katz’s remarks suggest that Israel is preparing for a prolonged and intensified confrontation, potentially spanning multiple theatres. His warning of “significant surprises” underscores the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of the conflict.

As both sides continue to exchange strikes and claims, the situation remains highly volatile, with fears growing of a broader regional escalation involving multiple actors. The international community is closely monitoring developments, as the conflict threatens to destabilise an already fragile geopolitical landscape.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)