Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israeli forces have killed Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib.
The announcement followed confirmation by Supreme National Security Council of the deaths of senior figures including security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, who headed the Basij paramilitary group.
In a statement, the council said: “The pure souls of the martyrs embraced the purified soul of God’s righteous servant, Martyr Dr Ali Larijani.
“After a lifetime of struggle for the advancement of Iran and of the Islamic Revolution, he ultimately attained his long-held aspiration, answered the divine call, and honourably achieved the sweet grace of martyrdom in the trench of service.”
Mass funeral ceremonies were held across Iran on Wednesday in honour of the deceased officials.
