Esmail Khatib and Ahmad Vahidi are both widely described as hardline figures in Iran’s security establishment. Khatib has served as intelligence minister, while Vahidi is a senior Revolutionary Guard figure and former defense minister who has been described by multiple outlets as a key hardliner and power player in recent reports.

Who they are

  • Esmail Khatib : Iran’s intelligence minister, associated with the country’s security and internal-control apparatus. Recent reporting also says Israel claimed to have killed him in March 2026, though such wartime claims can be disputed and should be treated carefully.
  • Ahmad Vahidi : A senior figure tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, formerly defense minister and interior minister, and described in 2026 reporting as a central hardline actor in Tehran’s current power structure.

Why they are called hardliners

They are labeled hardliners because they are linked to Iran’s security services, support a confrontational posture toward the West, and are associated with forceful internal and external policy positions. Recent coverage describes Vahidi as especially influential in military and negotiation decisions.

Simple takeaway

If you saw “Katib” and “Vahiti,” it likely refers to Khatib and Vahidi. Both are part of Iran’s hardline security elite, with Vahidi currently getting the most attention in recent news.

TL;DR: Khatib is Iran’s intelligence minister and Vahidi is a top IRGC- linked hardliner; both sit in the security wing of Iran’s power structure.