Iran’s intelligence minister ‘eliminated’ in overnight strike, Israel claims

Esmail Khatib said to be third senior Iranian figure killed in 24 hours as Israel authorises military to kill targeted officials

• Middle East crisis – live updates

Israel claimed on Wednesday to have killed a third senior Iranian figure in 24 hours, stating that its forces had “eliminated” Tehran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, in an overnight strike.

If confirmed, his death would follow those of Ali Larijani, the head of the supreme national security apparatus, and the commander of the Basij militia, Gholamreza Soleimani.