18.03.2026 11:44
As the war between the US-Israel and Iran continues with full force on its 19th day, another development that could change the course of the war has occurred. Following the claim that Ali Larijani, the Secretary General of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was killed, it has been alleged that Iran's Minister of Intelligence, Ismail Hatib, was also killed in an airstrike carried out in Tehran during the night. The claim, which has been reported by some media outlets, has garnered significant attention, but no official statement has come from Iran regarding the matter.
As conflicts escalate in the Middle East, a striking claim has emerged from Iran. According to the Iranian International news agency, Iranian Intelligence Minister Ismail Hatib was targeted in airstrikes carried out in Tehran during the night.
The report suggested that Hatib lost his life following the attack. However, Iranian authorities have not yet provided any official confirmation or denial regarding the claim.
NEW TARGET CLAIM AFTER LARICANI
This claim, following the assassination of Ali Laricani, the Secretary-General of the Iranian National Security Council, has reignited discussions about high-profile figures being targeted in the country.
ISRAEL'S ATTACK STATEMENT
The Israeli army announced today that a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian command centers, missile bases, and other government infrastructure in Tehran were completed last night.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the targets included the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards security unit responsible for suppressing protests in Iran, a maintenance center linked to Iran's internal security forces, and a command center belonging to Iran's ballistic missile system. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also stated that various air defense systems were struck to expand Israeli air superiority over Iranian airspace.
WHO IS ISMAIL HATIB?
Ismail Hatib is the current Iranian Intelligence Minister and holds a significant position in the country's security bureaucracy. Known for his clerical identity, Hatib has held various roles within Iran's intelligence structure for many years. He played a crucial role in critical areas such as internal security, counterintelligence, and monitoring anti-regime activities.
Hatib was appointed as Intelligence Minister by President Ibrahim Raisi in 2021, and with this role, he became one of the key actors in the implementation of Iran's internal and external security policies. The Ministry of Intelligence in Iran stands out as a strategic institution in terms of protecting the regime, monitoring opposition movements, and managing operations against external threats.
Hatib, who is not often seen in public, is known as a figure associated with operations and security policies conducted behind closed doors. His role in Iran's position in regional tensions and intelligence activities has become even more critical, especially in recent years.
US-ISRAEL ATTACKS ON IRAN
Israel and the US launched a military attack on Iran on February 28 while negotiations were ongoing between the Tehran and Washington administrations. Iran responded with attacks on targets it identified in several regional countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain, where US bases are located, in addition to Israel.
In the US-Israel attacks, Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, along with many high-ranking officials, was killed. According to Iranian officials, the death toll from the US-Israel attacks exceeded 1,348, with the number of injured surpassing 17,000.