Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirms that Israel assassinated Iran’s intelligence minister Esmaeil Khatib.
“The cowardly assassination of my dear colleagues Esmaeil Khatib, Ali Larijani, and Aziz Nasirzadeh, alongside some of their family members and accompanying team, has left us in deep mourning,” writes Pezeshkian on X, referring as well to the head of Iran’s National Security Council and its defense minister, both killed in Israeli strikes in the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran that broke out on February 28.
Khatib, killed in an overnight strike, was the third senior Iranian official slain within 24 hours.
“I extend my condolences to the great people of Iran for the martyrdom of two cabinet members, the secretary of the Shura, and the military and Basij commanders,” he continues, referring to the head of the oppressive volunteer paramilitary force. “I am certain their path will continue more steadfastly than before.”
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From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
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