Israel Details Intelligence Behind Khamenei Strike
Last update: March 4, 2026
Disclaimer: This website may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. We only recommend products or services that we personally use and believe will add value to our readers. Your support is appreciated!
Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in a precision strike following years of Israeli intelligence surveillance...
Israeli officials have disclosed that the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei followed years of intelligence gathering, surveillance and technological monitoring that enabled a precision strike on his location.
According to officials cited in a report by CNN, the operation relied on an advanced intelligence system that integrated data from multiple sources, including surveillance cameras across Tehran.
Traffic cameras in the Iranian capital played a key role in tracking movements.
“The traffic cameras on the streets of Tehran provided a real-time view of the targets. Hacked years ago, the cameras allowed Israel to map the city in detail, establish patterns of movement, and build an intricate picture of what was happening inside an enemy capital,” CNN quoted a source.
Officials said the cameras were part of a wider surveillance network feeding intelligence into an artificial intelligence–driven targeting platform described as a “target production machine.”
The system reportedly processed visual intelligence, human intelligence, signals intelligence, intercepted communications and satellite imagery.
The platform, developed over more than a decade, required teams of technologists, engineers and analysts to validate strike recommendations generated by the AI system before execution.
Israeli officials said it had previously been used to track senior Iranian figures.
They noted that during the 12-day war with Iran in June 2025, the technology was deployed in an opening strike that killed Iran’s highest-ranking military officer and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, along with a close aide to Khamenei.
The strike that reportedly killed Khamenei occurred on February 28, 2026, as part of a joint operation involving Israel and the United States under Operation Epic Fury.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the Iranian leader as long considered “untouchable” because of his reliance on underground bunkers and limited communications.
Prior to the operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on February 11.
Reports indicate discussions focused on possible outcomes should diplomatic efforts with Iran fail.
Officials said Trump authorised the mission at 3:38 p.m. Eastern Time.
A senior U.S. military officer, Gen. Dan Caine, reportedly confirmed the approval, stating: “Operation Epic Fury is approved. No aborts. Good luck. This was a daylight strike based on a trigger event conducted by the Israeli Defense Forces, enabled by the U.S. Intelligence Community.”
Sources said the operation relied on surveillance data from Tehran cameras and other intelligence inputs to identify a security gap when the Iranian leader was believed to be less protected.
The strike was carried out during daylight hours after monitoring communications among senior aides and security personnel.
Within hours, Israeli authorities reported indications of success.
