Israel’s defense minister told the Associated Press on Wednesday that the military killed Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib.
The AP reported that the attacks came hours after Iranian state media confirmed Israel’s military killed top Iranian security official Ali Larijani in an overnight strike, as well as Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s Basij force, known for its role in suppressing protests.
People react at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s Bashoura neighborhood on March 18, 2026. (Photo by Ibrahim Amro / AFP via Getty Images)
Iran launched strikes against Israel and neighboring Gulf countries on Wednesday, with explosions heard in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar and interceptions reported in Saudi Arabia.
RELATED: Top Iranian officials killed as strikes continue in the Middle East
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has killed at least 1,300 people in Iran, more than 900 in Lebanon and 14 in Israel, according to officials in those countries. The U.S. military says 13 U.S. service members have been killed and about 200 wounded.
Here are the latest updates from Wednesday.
Top counterterrorism official Kent resigns over Trump’s Iran war
Dig deeper:
Joe Kent, Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from the Trump administration, according to the Associated Press.
Kent said he “cannot in good conscience” back Trump’s war in Iran.
RELATED: Who is Joe Kent? Trump counterterrorism admin, veteran resigns over Iran war
Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” Kent posted on social media Tuesday.
Kent is a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists who was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote, the AP noted.
Energy supply concerns grow
Big picture view:
Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported, is sparking concerns about tightening energy supplies.
A few ships have crossed through the strait, and Iran has said the waterway technically remains open — just not for the United States, Israel and their allies. About 20 vessels have been struck.
With oil prices rising, Trump has demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to ensure ships can pass through the strait but said he has not gotten any support.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from The Associated Press and previous reporting by FOX Local. This story was reported from San Jose and Washington, D.C.
