JERUSALEM — Israeli defense officials have granted military commanders unprecedented authority to target Iranian leadership figures without seeking prior approval for individual operations, according to senior intelligence sources familiar with the directive.

The authorization follows reports that Esmaeil Khatib, Iran's intelligence minister, was killed in what Israeli sources describe as a precision strike. Tehran has not confirmed Khatib's death, maintaining official silence while conducting what analysts believe to be a comprehensive security review of its leadership protection protocols.

"This represents a fundamental shift in operational doctrine," said Dr. Rachel Cohen, director of Middle East security studies at the Institute for Strategic Affairs. "Israel appears to be moving from reactive to preemptive targeting of Iranian command structures." The reported killing would mark the third high-profile elimination of Iranian officials in 48 hours, signaling an intensification of the shadow war between the two nations.

Regional security experts warn the expanded targeting authority could trigger severe retaliation from Tehran's proxy network across the Middle East. "Iran's Revolutionary Guard has demonstrated patience in planning responses to leadership eliminations," noted former Mossad operative David Harmon, now at the Council on Foreign Relations. "This escalation cycle shows no signs of diplomatic intervention."