Iran's intelligence minister Esmail Khatib has been killed, the country's president has confirmed. Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the cowardly assassination has left Iran in deep mourning, after Israel announced on Wednesday it had killed Khatib in an air strike. This follows a day after Israel declared the killing of Iran's top security official, Ali Larijani, along with Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij force, due to similar strikes. Since the assassination of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, various high-ranking Iranian officials have been targeted to weaken the regime's power structure. Pezeshkian extended condolences, emphasizing that their legacy would endure firmly. In interviews, Iranian citizens expressed mixed views on Khatib's death. A woman stated that his killing could prompt less violence during protests, as he was part of a feared leadership. Earlier on the same day, Israel's defense minister announced Khatib's elimination, stating that such actions are authorized against any senior Iranian official. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) condemned Khatib's role aiding in suppressing protests and committing human rights abuses. Khatib, appointed in 2021 by former President Ebrahim Raisi, was sanctioned by the US for cyber activities targeting the US and its allies. Following these rigorous attacks, large crowds gathered in Tehran for the funerals of the fallen officials. The Iranian government claims over 1,300 lives lost since the onset of conflict, while human rights agencies report higher civilian casualties. In response, Iran has retaliated with strikes throughout the Middle East, causing further escalating tensions and global implications on oil prices due to the war's impact.