How the CIA Tracked Iran’s Supreme Leader for Months, Allowing the Decisive Strike That Killed Him
What could have been handled behind closed doors instead ended in a devastating military strike.
US and Israeli forces launched a surprise daylight strike in Tehran, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior Iranian officials.
For months, the United States and Israel closely followed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, ultimately identifying a rare opportunity: a major gathering of Islamic Republic security officials at his compound in Tehran.
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On Saturday morning, Israeli fighter jets carried out broad daylight airstrikes, reducing parts of the compound to rubble. The operation resulted in the death of Khamenei, dozens of senior officials, and three members of his family.
According to a report by The New York Times, citing anonymous sources, the CIA had spent considerable time studying the 86-year-old leader’s movements and habits. Newly acquired intelligence revealed details of the high-level meeting in central Tehran. Officials described the intelligence as “high fidelity,” confirming that Khamenei would be present.
Once the gathering was confirmed, US and Israeli military leaders advanced their plan. The strike, named “Operation Epic Fury,” was initially designed for nighttime execution. However, it was shifted to Saturday morning to capitalize on the leadership meeting. The surprise attack eliminated Khamenei and roughly 40 senior Iranian figures, including the Minister of Defense, the Head of Intelligence, and the Supreme Leader’s Advisor for Security Affairs and Secretary of the Defense Council.
Improved US intelligence capabilities following last year’s 12-day war contributed to the operation’s success. During that conflict, officials gained deeper insight into how Khamenei communicated and maneuvered under pressure, the Times reported.
Iranian state media outlet IRNA confirmed the deaths of Rear Adm. Shamkhani and Maj. Gen. Pakpour. State television also reported that Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, was killed in the joint US-Israeli airstrikes.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli aircraft dropped approximately 30 bombs on the compound, leaving it scorched and shattered. Senior leaders, including Khamenei, were located in two separate buildings that were destroyed during the strikes. Jets reportedly departed around 6 a.m. local time, with precision munitions striking near 9:40 a.m. in Tehran.
The months-long planning effort was described as a “tactical surprise,” made possible by monitoring multiple senior-level meetings scheduled that morning — an unusually concentrated assembly of Iran’s political and military leadership in a single location.
President Donald Trump confirmed Khamenei’s death on Saturday, describing him as “one of the most evil people in history.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump characterized the strike as justice not only for Iranians but also for Americans and others worldwide who had suffered under Khamenei’s leadership.
In comments to CBS News’ Robert Costa, Trump urged remaining regime officials to pursue a diplomatic path, stating it was now “much easier” given recent events. He also offered what he called “immunity” to supporters of the ayatollah who chose not to continue fighting.
“We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us,” Trump wrote. “As I said last night, ‘Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!’”
