Iran's intelligence minister Esmail Khatib has been killed in an air strike, according to confirmation from President Masoud Pezeshkian, who described the attack as a cowardly assassination that has left the country in deep mourning. Israel said it carried out the strike in Tehran, part of a broader campaign targeting senior Iranian leaders since the start of the war on 28 February, which also saw the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khatib's death follows Israeli announcements that other top officials, including Ali Larijani and Basij force chief Gholamreza Soleimani, were killed in recent strikes. Israel's defence minister said the government had authorised the elimination of senior Iranian officials without further approval, while the Israeli military accused Khatib of overseeing repression and supporting militant activities.

Large crowds gathered in Tehran for the funerals of senior officials and sailors killed earlier this month. Iranian authorities say more than 1,300 people have died in Israeli and United States strikes since the war began, while an independent rights group reports even higher figures. Iran has retaliated with attacks across the region, and the conflict has disrupted global energy markets following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.