Free Republic

Israel's Defense Forces said Wednesday that Iran's Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib had been killed in a "targeted strike" in Tehran, marking the third assassination of a high-ranking official in just two days. Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest & killing of protestors and led terrorist activities against Israelis & Americans around the world," the IDF said in a post on social media. "Similarly, he operated against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests (2022–2023)," they added. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed Khatib's death in a post on X. "The cowardly assassination of...

An Israeli official, who did not want to be named, told Iran International that Israeli drones targeted Basij and police patrols that were planning to approach the venues of the Syrian [celebration] on [Wednesday night.] [The Basij were turned back.] He called this action "unprecedented" and added: "For the first time, the people of Iran received active support that paralyzed the repression apparatus and practically provided an air umbrella for the population." [The Syrian or the Chaharbansuri] is one of the ancient rituals of Iran [and has] turned from a celebration to a scene of anger and explosion and confrontation...