Jerusalem, March 18 (NationPress) Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Wednesday that Esmaeil Khatib, Iran's Intelligence Minister, was killed during an Israeli airstrike in Tehran overnight. Katz further cautioned of potential significant surprises in various domains, as reported by local media.

In a security briefing, he stated, "On this day, we anticipate significant surprises across all fronts that will escalate our ongoing conflict with Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon," according to statements from his office, as reported by The Times of Israel.

"The intensity of our operations in Iran is increasing. The Iranian intelligence minister Khatib has also been eliminated overnight," The Times of Israel cited him as saying.

Katz mentioned that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have authorized the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to neutralize any senior Iranian official without needing further permission.

The IDF confirmed that Khatib, who served as Iran's Minister of Intelligence, was killed in a targeted strike in Tehran.

"Khatib played a crucial role during the recent protests in Iran, overseeing the arrest and killing of demonstrators and directing terrorist operations against both Israelis and Americans globally. He was also involved in actions against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests (2022–2023). The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence has advanced capabilities for surveillance, espionage, and covert operations worldwide, particularly targeting Israeli and Iranian citizens," the IDF shared on X.

On Tuesday, Israel also reported the elimination of Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

An IDF statement on X declared that Larijani was a key figure in the Iranian regime and a close ally of the deceased Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"Ali Larijani, serving as Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and effectively leading the regime, has been neutralized. Over the years, Larijani was regarded as one of the most experienced and senior leaders in the Iranian regime, closely associated with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei," the IDF posted on X.

Later reports from Iranian media confirmed that both Ali Larijani and his son were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran on March 17.

"During the recent surge of protests against the Iranian regime, Larijani directly oversaw the brutal crackdown against protestors," it added.

The IDF's statement indicated that Larijani would have led the Iranian regime after Khamenei's death and continued to direct military operations against Israel and regional nations.

The IDF also revealed the death of Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij Unit.

In a message on X, the IDF stated, "COMMANDER OF THE BASIJ UNIT ELIMINATED. Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who had commanded the Basij unit for the past six years. Under Soleimani's leadership, the Basij unit conducted major repression operations in Iran, enforcing severe violence, mass arrests, and aggressive tactics against civilian demonstrators."

Gholam Reza Soleimani was reportedly killed in an aerial strike by Israeli jets in Tehran, according to Tasnim News Agency.