Live updates: Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib killed, Israel defense minister says - AP News

AP News
March 18, 2026
3 min read

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Israel's defense minister claims Iran's Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib has been killed, marking major Israel-Iran escalation.

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Israel's defense minister announced that Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib has been killed, according to AP News reporting. The claim marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, which have intensified over the past year through direct military exchanges and proxy conflicts. If confirmed, the death of Iran's top intelligence official would represent a major blow to Tehran's security apparatus and could trigger a substantial Iranian response. The announcement comes as Israel continues military operations in the region following years of hostilities with Iran-backed groups and Iranian forces themselves. Live updates from AP News are tracking developments as this story unfolds.

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