Israel says it has eliminated Iran’s intelligence minister… ‘major additional surprise attack’ today
Summary
- Israel said it assassinated Iran’s intelligence minister Esmail Khatib in a targeted airstrike.
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said a major additional surprise attack is expected today, and that a “surprise” is being foreshadowed to raise the level of war against Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
- Katz said he and Netanyahu have granted standing authority to eliminate senior Iranian officials without an individual approval process, and the Israeli military said Khatib directed terror activities targeting Israeli and US targets worldwide.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
Israel said it assassinated Iran’s intelligence minister in a targeted airstrike.
According to foreign media outlets including CNBC in the US on the 18th (local time), Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz told a wartime situation assessment meeting under the Defense Ministry that “the overnight strikes on Tehran killed Esmail Khatib, Iran’s intelligence minister.” Katz added, “There will be a major additional surprise attack today,” and said a significant “surprise” is being foreshadowed that will escalate the level of war against Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah on all fronts.
Assassination operations targeting Iran’s top leadership are expected to become more aggressive. Katz announced that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have granted the Israeli military standing authority to eliminate targeted senior Iranian officials without an individual approval process.
The Israeli military also officially confirmed Khatib’s death. “Minister Khatib was targeted by an Air Force fighter jet at a hideout in Tehran,” the military said, adding that he “masterminded terrorist activities targeting Israeli territory during this war, as well as Israeli and US targets scattered around the world.”
JOON HYOUNG LEE
gilson@bloomingbit.ioCrypto Journalist based in Seoul
