Israel Announces "Elimination" of Iranian Intelligence Chief! Netanyahu Authorizes Indefinite Decapitation, Bitcoin Falls Below $73,000, Ethereum Loses $2,300

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Taipei time the 18th that Iran’s intelligence chief Esmail Khatib was “eliminated” during last night’s military operation. Iran has not yet confirmed his death, but the Israeli government has announced full authorization for the military to carry out “decapitation operations,” meaning future targeting of Iranian high-level officials will no longer require approval.

(Background: Iran’s Foreign Ministry warns: Trump sending ground troops would be the next Vietnam, emphasizing that the new Supreme Leader Mughtab is healthy)

(Additional context: U.S. Counterterrorism Center director resigns, opposing U.S.-Iran war: Iran poses no threat, Israel is deceiving us into war)

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• Israel confirms successful decapitation, Iran remains silent for now
• Netanyahu authorizes “targeted killings,” no longer need to report operations
• Escalating risk aversion, markets closely watch Iran’s retaliation

Geopolitical tensions are spiraling again. According to the latest report released today (18th) by Reuters, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly claimed that Iran’s intelligence chief Esmail Khatib was killed in a targeted strike last night.

Israel confirms decapitation success, Iran remains silent for now

Katz explicitly stated in a statement that this senior official, who controls Iran’s intelligence core, has been “eliminated.” While Israel announced this major military achievement unilaterally, Tehran has yet to issue any official statement or confirmation regarding Khatib’s death, leading to a brief information vacuum between the two sides.

Netanyahu authorizes “targeted killings,” no longer need to report operations

In addition to announcing Khatib’s death, Israel’s Defense Ministry sent a more alarming signal to regional stability. Katz said he has reached an agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to formally authorize the Israeli military:

“Future targeted eliminations of any other senior Iranian officials will be directly executed by the military, without the need for additional political approval.”

This decision indicates Israel has fully adopted a “decapitation” mode, targeting the leadership of Iran’s government and military, suggesting a move toward more direct and high-level confrontation in the U.S.-Iran conflict.

Rising risk aversion, markets closely monitor Iran’s retaliation

As news of the suspected death of Iran’s intelligence chief spreads, global financial markets’ risk-off sentiment has been ignited. Bitcoin dropped below $73,000, currently around $72,775; Ethereum fell below $2,300, now approximately $2,260.