Israeli strikes hit central Beirut on Wednesday, as Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed the killing of Iran’s intelligence minister Esmail Khatib amid escalating regional conflict.
Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 12 people were killed in the latest strikes.
Pezeshkian said Khatib was killed in an overnight Israeli attack, confirming earlier claims by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. In a statement on X, the Iranian president described the killing as an assassination and said several officials and family members had also died.
The conflict has widened across the region, with fighting intensifying between the Israel Defense Forces and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Heavy clashes were reported around the strategic city of Khiam, as Israeli troops attempted to advance into border towns and faced resistance from Hezbollah fighters.
Israel said it had begun limited ground operations, while building up forces along the border for a possible expanded campaign.
Separately, a report by Axios said Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field was coordinated with and approved by the United States, citing Israeli officials and a US defence source.
The South Pars field, shared by Iran and Qatar, is the world’s largest offshore gas field. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari condemned the strike as a “dangerous and irresponsible step” that could threaten global energy security.
The United Arab Emirates also criticised the targeting of energy infrastructure, warning of risks to civilians, maritime security, and the environment.
In Washington, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told a Senate hearing that Iran’s government remained “intact” but had been significantly weakened by the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign.
Meanwhile, Iran has continued retaliatory actions across the region, while large crowds gathered in Tehran for the funerals of senior officials killed in earlier strikes, including Ali Larijani and military personnel.