Israel has intensified its campaign against Iran’s senior leadership, announcing that Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib was killed in a strike on Tehran. The operation follows two other killings of high-ranking Iranian figures within the past two days.
According to CNBC, the Israel Defense Forces said on Wednesday, March 18, that Khatib was killed in what the IDF described as a precision strike in the Iranian capital. If confirmed, his death would mark a significant blow to Iran’s intelligence apparatus at a time of heightened confrontation.
The day before, Israeli authorities said they had killed Ali Larijani, identified as a senior security official, and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij militia—a paramilitary force under Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran’s judiciary-affiliated media later confirmed Soleimani’s death.
Israel has accused Khatib of overseeing internal crackdowns during periods of unrest and of involvement in intelligence operations and attacks targeting Israel and the United States. He was also described as a key figure during the nationwide protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 and 2023.
Retaliation expands across the Gulf
Iran moved quickly to respond. The Associated Press reported that Tehran launched a new wave of missile and drone strikes not only against Israel but also toward countries along the Persian Gulf.
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Targets included Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi officials said a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base was intercepted, along with a drone headed toward Riyadh’s diplomatic district. Interception explosions were also reported over Dubai.
At the same time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched Khorramshahr-4 and Ghadr multi-warhead missiles toward central Israel, in an apparent effort to overwhelm air defense systems. Casualties were reported in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv.
Iran has also continued attacks on regional energy infrastructure and announced what it described as a selective restriction of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a move seen as an attempt to exert pressure on global oil markets and the United States.
Energy markets and nuclear concerns
The escalation has begun to weigh on global energy supply. Brent crude has remained above $100 per barrel, rising more than 40 percent since the conflict began. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass, is under heightened strain.
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned that the situation could pose risks to nuclear safety. A recent strike near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant caused no reported damage but has raised concern among international observers.
There have also been reports of attacks on facilities linked to the South Pars offshore gas field, though responsibility remains unclear.
To reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, Iraq and the Kurdistan region have agreed to route oil exports through Turkey’s Ceyhan port. Saudi Arabia has also increased shipments via pipelines to the Red Sea.
Domestic pressure and regional spillover
The conflict is also feeding internal tensions within Iran. On the same day, Iranian judicial authorities executed a man identified as Kourosh Keyvani on charges of spying for Israel’s Mossad. Separately, an airstrike on a court facility in southern Iran killed at least eight people.
Beyond Iran, Israel has continued high-intensity strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Multiple buildings in Beirut were hit, killing at least 10 people, including media figure Mohammed Sherri. Israel said the sites were used to finance Hezbollah operations.
More than one million people have been displaced in Lebanon since the escalation began. In Iran, reported fatalities have exceeded 1,300.
The United States is also facing growing pressure. Its embassy in Baghdad has come under repeated attack. President Donald Trump criticized allies for not participating in efforts to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, saying the United States “doesn’t need anyone’s help.”
