American media outlets, including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, have revealed details behind the operation that led to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. According to reports, Israeli fighter jets took off at 6:00 a.m., and within two hours, bombs destroyed the complex where Khamenei was located, catching the leaders of the Shiite axis by surprise for the third time.
The operation was the result of coordinated intelligence work: the CIA tracked Khamenei for months, monitoring a leader who had limited his public appearances for health and security reasons. He was aware that he was at the top of a hit list compiled by Donald Trump and Bibi Netanyahu. Despite stringent protective measures in Tehran, the security barrier was ultimately breached.
U.S. intelligence gathered information on a high-level meeting within Beit-e Rahbari, the strategic complex in Tehran, eliminating the need to search for Khamenei in remote or hidden locations. Once his presence was confirmed, the intelligence was passed to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), reversing a pattern from January 2020, when Israeli forces tracked Qasem Soleimani prior to his targeted drone strike near Baghdad.
The opportunity to strike arose during a “window of vulnerability” when Khamenei and several senior officials, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour, Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, and former Admiral Ali Shamkhani, among others, were gathered for a war summit. The precise targeting and coordinated strike resulted in a devastating attack, with at least 30 bombs hitting the complex, and significant casualties among those present.
Satellite imagery later confirmed extensive structural damage. While Iranian authorities initially claimed Khamenei was safe, reality proved otherwise: Khamenei was killed along with a significant number of top officials, many of whom had previously replaced colleagues eliminated by Israeli operations during prior conflicts.
The operation highlights the combination of ground agents, artificial intelligence, technological support, and human intelligence networks, including collaborators willing to act for revenge or financial incentives. The success underscores the vulnerabilities of a regime that, despite a sophisticated security apparatus, has been weakened over time by internal repression and systemic cracks.
This mission represents the latest in a series of strategic actions by Israel and the United States, including the targeted elimination of Hezbollah figures, the killing of faction leader Hassan Nasrallah, and strikes against Iranian military hierarchy over the past years. Analysts note that the careful preparation and execution demonstrate a deep understanding of Iran’s complex security and intelligence structures, which have traditionally relied on secrecy and multi-layered defense mechanisms.
