Israel's Defence Minister Israel ​Katz said on ‌Wednesday that Iranian Intelligence Minister ​Esmail Khatib ​was "eliminated" in an ⁠overnight strike.

"Khatib was in charge of the regime's internal assassination and repression system in Iran and of promoting external threats," Katz said during a situation assessment with senior military officers. 

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have authorized the military to thwart any senior Iranian official who is cornered, by intelligence or operation, without the need for further authorization," he added.

There has ​been no confirmation ​from Iran regarding Khatib's fate.

Katz also stated that "significant surprises" are expected in the Iran and Lebanon arenas throughout the day, which "will escalate the war we are waging against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon," and that "the war has reached its final, decisive phase."

Khatib's unconfirmed killing follows Israel's assassination of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran's Basij volunteer force.

(With input from agencies)