Unexpected Targeting of Iran’s Supreme Leader
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei served as Supreme Leader of Iran for several decades. Reports indicate that he died in a sudden military strike carried out by Israel. The development surprised many observers. The United States and Israel planned to attack Iranian targets which they had been showing signs of doing for several days. Khamenei's security measures remained unchanged despite the threat to his safety.
- Intelligence sources reported that the United States provided secret intelligence to Israel. Israel took immediate action to launch a strike based on this information which they received on Saturday. Iranian officials expected that nuclear facilities would be the first target of an attack. They did not anticipate a direct strike on Khamenei.
Surveillance Since Last Year
- Last year, during tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, then U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States knew Khamenei’s location. He suggested that action could have been taken if desired. The CIA maintained its continuous surveillance operations since that time.
- Between the 12-day conflict last year U.S. intelligence agencies collected information about communications between Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). They also studied emergency response patterns. The information increased the accuracy of surveillance operations. The agencies used this information to follow Khamenei's movements and predict his future choices.
Information About a Scheduled Meeting
- Friday is a public holiday in Iran. Khamenei used to conduct review sessions with senior government officials and military leaders at his official residence on Saturdays. U.S. intelligence reportedly collected details about his schedule. The report contained information about his scheduled entrance times to official buildings and his potential movement to secure bunkers.
- The event took place on February 28 when senior Iranian officials came together at a government building which exists in central Tehran. Intelligence sources revealed that Khamenei would participate in this gathering.
Planning and Execution of the Strike
- The CIA shared information about Khamenei’s movements with Israel. Israeli intelligence and military units began rapid planning. Initial assessments suggested that the meeting would take place in the evening. Updated intelligence showed that the meeting now had a scheduled time for morning. Israeli officials then adjusted their timing.
- Israeli forces conducted aerial operations during the early hours of Saturday. The warplanes attacked Khamenei’s conference area at 6:00 a.m. Reports show that long-range precision-guided missiles were utilized during the operation.
- At approximately 9:40 a.m., additional airstrikes targeted government buildings throughout Tehran. One building contained Iranian national security officials while Khamenei occupied another location inside the compound. Israeli aircraft conducted precise strikes on designated structures.
- Israeli forces attacked multiple locations throughout Tehran. The United States executed missile strikes through Tomahawk cruise missiles and drone operations at the same time. The goal of the operation involved disabling Iranian missile launch systems together with their command-and-control systems.
Aftermath and Damage Assessment
- Satellite images later showed heavy destruction at Khamenei’s compound. Reports indicate that approximately 30 bombs were used. Some sources indicate that bunker-buster munitions were deployed to penetrate fortified structures.
- The attack shows that regional powers have started to engage in an increased level of military conflict. The situation will undergo further development because governments will start to address the current conditions.
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