Israel Intensifies Strikes on Iran, Killing Intelligence Minister
TEHRAN, Iran – Israel has carried out a series of escalating strikes against Iran, culminating in the overnight killing of Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, Iranian officials confirmed Wednesday. The assassination marks the third high-profile killing linked to Israel in as little as two days, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
The strikes come as thousands gathered in Tehran for the funerals of Ali Larijani and another senior Iranian commander, both killed in previous Israeli operations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Khatib’s death as a “cowardly assassination,” signaling growing outrage within the Iranian government.
Beyond the targeted killings, Israel has also struck a petrochemical complex situated on the world’s largest natural gas field, a significant escalation targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure. Retaliatory strikes by Iran and its allied militia groups continue across the region, further fueling tensions.
The unfolding events are drawing international concern. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently expressed a “very bad feeling” about the potential impact of the Middle East conflict on the situation in Ukraine, highlighting the interconnectedness of global security challenges.
The BBC reported on the developments seven hours ago, detailing the mourning within Iran following Khatib’s death. [See: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2d1dz14k51o] The New York Times also confirmed the killing, citing Israeli military statements. [See: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/world/middleeast/iran-intelligence-minister-khatib-israel.html]
This latest series of attacks represents a dramatic shift in Israel’s approach to countering Iranian influence, moving beyond covert operations to more overt and aggressive actions. The implications for regional stability remain deeply uncertain.
