Iran has officially confirmed that its Intelligence Minister, Esmaeil Khatib, was killed in a series of coordinated airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The confirmation came from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who described the killing as a “cowardly assassination” and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of one of the country’s top security officials.

Khatib was reportedly killed in an overnight strike targeting high-level Iranian leadership, making him one of several senior figures eliminated within a short period. His death is said to be the third high-profile assassination in just two days, following the killings of other key officials, including security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

Israeli authorities had earlier claimed responsibility for the strike, stating that Khatib was a central figure in Iran’s intelligence operations and had been involved in coordinating activities against Israel and its allies.

The killing comes amid an intensifying military confrontation between Iran and US-Israeli forces, with both sides exchanging attacks across multiple fronts. Iran has already launched retaliatory missile strikes, while warning of further action in response to what it calls targeted assassinations of its leadership.

The latest developments have heightened fears of a broader regional war, as key energy infrastructure and strategic sites across the Middle East come under threat. Global leaders have called for restraint, but tensions continue to rise as both sides signal readiness for further escalation.