JERUSALEM — Israeli defense officials have authorized military commanders to conduct strikes against Iranian leadership targets without case-by-case approval, according to security sources familiar with the directive issued Tuesday evening.

The sweeping authorization follows what Israeli media reports describe as the successful elimination of Iran's intelligence minister, Esmaeil Khatib, though Tehran has yet to confirm his death. The operation allegedly marks the third high-profile Iranian official targeted by Israeli forces within 48 hours, signaling an unprecedented escalation in the covert war between the nations.

"This represents a fundamental shift from surgical, limited operations to something approaching open warfare," said Dr. Yael Mizrahi, former deputy director of Israel's Institute for National Security Studies. "The authorization essentially removes bureaucratic constraints that previously required cabinet-level approval for such strikes." Iranian state media has remained notably silent on Khatib's fate, breaking from typical patterns of immediate denial or confirmation when officials face targeting.

Regional analysts warn the policy change could trigger broader conflict across the Middle East. "Israel appears to have concluded that deterrence through limited strikes has failed," observed Professor Michael Stephens of the Royal United Services Institute. "This authorization suggests they're prepared to systematically dismantle Iran's security apparatus, regardless of escalation risks." The timing coincides with increased Iranian proxy activity along Israel's northern border and renewed concerns over Tehran's nuclear program advancement.