Arabic version: إسرائيل تدعي قتل وزير الاستخبارات الإيراني في غارات بيروت

Israeli airstrikes in central Beirut overnight have reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib. The Israeli defense minister, Israel Katz, announced the claim, stating that Khatib was killed in a targeted operation. This attack follows the recent deaths of other senior Iranian officials, including security chief Ali Larijani.

According to The Guardian, the Lebanese health ministry reported that at least 12 individuals lost their lives due to the airstrikes, which struck a densely populated area of Beirut. The Israeli military indicated that these strikes aimed at disrupting Hezbollah infrastructure and preventing the movement of reinforcements.

The escalation in hostilities has led to a significant increase in military actions, with Israeli forces executing multiple airstrikes in Lebanon. Katz has stated that the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has given the military the authority to eliminate any senior Iranian official without requiring further approval.

In response to the ongoing conflict, Iranian authorities have issued evacuation warnings for oil facilities across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Iran’s revolutionary guards have indicated that the repercussions of the war will extend globally, and Iranian officials have vowed retaliation for the deaths of their leaders. The situation remains tense, with both nations engaged in a cycle of strikes and counter-strikes.