Israel kills three senior Iranian officials in 24 hours — intelligence minister, security chief, Basij commander
IDF leadership decapitation campaign eliminates Khatib, Larijani, and Soleimani within 24 hours
Israel executed the most devastating leadership decapitation campaign against Iran since the start of the war, killing three of Iran highest-ranking officials within 24 hours. National security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani were killed overnight on Day 18. Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib was eliminated in a follow-on overnight airstrike on Tehran on Day 19. Defense Minister Katz announced that he and PM Netanyahu have authorized the IDF to kill any senior Iranian official being targeted without requiring additional approval per strike, signaling the campaign will continue. Katz warned of significant surprises ahead. Iran stated replacements had been swiftly appointed and that operations would not be disrupted.
Key facts
- •Ali Larijani (national security chief) killed Day 18 — highest Israeli kill since Khamenei on Day 1
- •Gholamreza Soleimani (Basij commander) killed in same Day 18 strike cluster
- •Esmaeil Khatib (intelligence minister, MOIS) killed overnight in Tehran — Day 19
- •Katz and Netanyahu authorize IDF to kill senior officials without per-strike approval
- •All three were on US 0M reward list posted last week
- •Iran: replacements swiftly appointed, operations will not be disrupted
Timeline
IDF kills Larijani (security chief) and Soleimani (Basij commander)
Army chief Hatami vows decisive and regrettable retaliation
IDF kills Khatib (intelligence minister) in overnight Tehran strike