Israeli officials have disclosed that the operation leading to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was the result of years of coordinated intelligence gathering, technological surveillance, and advanced data analysis that culminated in a precision strike.
According to officials cited by CNN, the mission relied on a sophisticated intelligence network capable of merging data from numerous sources, including surveillance cameras positioned across Tehran.
One Israeli source revealed that traffic cameras throughout the Iranian capital played a significant 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,” the source said.
Officials indicated that the cameras formed part of a wider intelligence infrastructure feeding into an artificial intelligence-powered targeting platform. The system was described as an AI-driven “target production machine.”
According to the report, the platform processed multiple intelligence streams, including visual intelligence, human intelligence, signals intelligence, intercepted communications, and satellite imagery.
“Out came a pinpoint location in the form of a 14-digit grid coordinate,” the source explained.
Developed over more than a decade, the system reportedly required teams of technologists, engineers, and analysts to review and validate the strike recommendations generated by the AI network before action was taken.
Israeli authorities had previously used the intelligence framework to monitor senior Iranian officials. During the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025, the Israel Defense Forces reportedly deployed the system in an opening strike that killed Iran’s highest-ranking military officer, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, along with a close aide to Khamenei.
The strike that ultimately killed Khamenei was reportedly carried out on February 28, 2026, in a joint operation involving Israel and the United States.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the Iranian leader had long been viewed as “untouchable,” citing his routine use of underground bunkers and limited communication channels.
Prior to the operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held discussions with US President Donald Trump on February 11. According to CNN, the talks centered on contingency plans should diplomatic negotiations with Iran collapse.
At 3:38 p.m. Eastern Time, Trump reportedly authorized the mission.
Gen. Dan Caine, a senior US military officer, 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.”
Officials said surveillance feeds from Tehran’s camera network and other intelligence inputs were used to determine the precise window when Khamenei would be present at his compound. AI-assisted mapping of the location and surrounding area reportedly enabled planners to identify a moment when security coverage was believed to be thinner.
Sources indicated the strike occurred during daylight hours after monitoring communications between senior aides and security personnel.
Within hours, Israeli authorities signaled preliminary signs of success. Confirmation followed when Iran’s state broadcaster announced: “The Supreme Leader of Iran has reached martyrdom.”
No comments:
Post a Comment