Who Was Esmail Khatib? Iran's Intel Minister And 3rd Top Official Killed By Israel In 24 Hrs

Last Updated:March 18, 2026, 21:24 IST

Esmail Khatib was an Iranian cleric and politician who served as the country’s Minister of Intelligence from August 2021 until his death.

Iran has confirmed the death of its Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, who was killed in an Israeli overnight airstrike on Wednesday.

Khatib’s killing makes him the third senior Iranian official to be eliminated by Israel within 24 hours, following the deaths of top security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani on March Tuesday. Iran has confirmed all three deaths.

Who Was Esmail Khatib?

Esmail Khatib was an Iranian cleric and politician who served as the country’s Minister of Intelligence from August 2021 until his death in March 2026. He was appointed by former president Ebrahim Raisi and was considered a key figure within Iran’s security establishment.

Khatib was known to be a close ally of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and was also believed to have strong ties to his successor Mojtaba Khamenei, The Guardian reported.

Over the years, Khatib held several roles within Iran’s intelligence and judicial systems, including positions linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His career placed him at the centre of Iran’s internal security and intelligence operations.

On US Most-Wanted List

In 2022, he was sanctioned by the United States over alleged involvement in cyber activities targeting Washington and its allies.

Khatib was also among ten senior Iranian officials for whom the US State Department had announced a $10 million reward for information. Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was also included on the list.

Last week, Washington had said these figures were involved in directing elements of the IRGC.

“These individuals command and direct various elements of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which plans, organizes and executes terrorism around the world," the US State Department has said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Israel, while confirming khatib’s killing, said its military had been authorised to target any high-ranking Iranian official without seeking further approval. It called Iran’s intelligence ministry as a key arm of the state’s security and covert operations network.

His death comes at a critical moment, as the war between Iran and Israel — triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28 that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — enters its third week.

(With inputs from agencies)

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