Iranian Intelligence Minister Killed in Israeli Airstrike, President Confirms

Tensions between Israel and Iran have intensified following an Israeli airstrike that killed Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib. The development was officially confirmed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. President Pezeshkian described the attack as a cowardly act and stated that it was part of a broader conspiracy aimed at targeting Iran’s top leadership. He emphasized that the strike reflects a deliberate attempt to destabilize the country’s leadership structure. This incident follows earlier Israeli operations targeting senior Iranian officials. Among those killed were security official Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soltani, indicating a pattern of strikes against key figures within Iran’s security establishment. In addition to targeting individuals, Israel has also carried out major strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure. According to Iranian state media, airstrikes were conducted on the South Pars gas field and other oil and gas facilities located in the city of Asaluyeh in southern Iran. The reports also উল্লেখed the involvement of the United States alongside Israel in these attacks. In response, Iran has issued strong warnings of potential retaliatory strikes across Gulf countries. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) urged people to stay away from major oil and gas installations in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Iran also condemned the attacks on its gas fields, signaling the possibility of further escalation in the region. Experts believe that these developments could significantly heighten tensions in the Middle East and may have broader international implications.