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Iran intel minister dead? Israel targets Esmail Khatib in fresh Tehran strike; no confirmation

The reported attack comes a day after the killings of senior Iranian figures Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani
March 18, 2026 / 15:26 IST

Israeli media reported that air strikes on Tehran targeted Iran's Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, with Channel 12 saying the outcome of the operation is still being assessed. There has been no official confirmation so far, and Iran has not commented on the development.

The reported strike comes a day after the killings of senior Iranian figures Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

Separately, Iran's Intelligence Ministry said it had dismantled multiple "royalist cells" and arrested 111 individuals across 26 provinces in a nationwide operation, according to Tasnim news agency. Authorities also claimed to have detained four alleged spies linked to the United States in Hamadan and West Azerbaijan, accusing them of sharing sensitive information on security forces and infrastructure.

Iran War News Live: 611 Indian seafarers safe in Hormuz waters, no threat reported so far, says Centre

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi defended Tehran's military actions, saying strikes in urban areas of neighbouring countries were a consequence of US forces being stationed outside formal bases. He said Iranian forces targeted locations where American personnel were present.

Araghchi reiterated that Iran is not seeking a ceasefire with the US and Israel, but rather a complete end to the conflict across all fronts. He also indicated that the future of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would need to be reassessed once the war concludes.

Moneycontrol News
first published: Mar 18, 2026 03:24 pm

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