Iranian intel head who targeted Trump killed in strike

The Israeli Defense Forces announced on Wednesday that Iran’s Minister of Intelligence, Esmaeil Khatib, has been killed in a targeted strike that took place in Tehran. This comes amid the US-Israeli Operation Epic Fury in the Middle Eastern country. 

A senior Israeli official told Fox News that Khatib had previously survived an attack that resulted in the deaths of dozens of Iranian leaders. The official said, "This man had American blood on his hands. His network specifically targeted current and former U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump." 

The IDF said that Khatib "played a significant role in directing arrests and the killing of protesters during the recent internal protests in Iran and during the 'Hijab Protests' (2022-2023)," and that the Ministry of Intelligence under his leadership has been "a key organization behind the regime’s repression and terror."

Khatib’s death comes after officials said Ali Larijani, a top Iranian security official who was believed to have been running the country in the wake of the Ayatollah’s death, was killed in an Israeli strike on Tuesday, per the Associated Press.

Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, confirmed on Wednesday that Khatib had been killed, writing that the "cowardly assassination" of Khatib, Larijani, and others "has left us in deep mourning." He added, "I extend my condolences to the great people of Iran for the martyrdom of two cabinet members, the secretary of the Shura, and the military and Basij commanders. I am certain their path will continue more steadfastly than before."