Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in Joint US-Israeli Operation

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who guided the Islamic Republic for 36 years, has been killed in a joint operation by the United States and Israel. The operation, confirmed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, targeted Khamenei’s compound in Tehran on Saturday, February 28, 2026, according to reports from The Times of Israel and NPR.

Years-Long Intelligence Operation

The assassination was the culmination of years of espionage, as detailed by the Financial Times. Israel reportedly hacked into Tehran’s surveillance camera network years prior to the attack, streaming footage to servers in Israel. Artificial intelligence was then used to analyze the data, tracking the movements of Khamenei’s security personnel and identifying his routines. The operation also leveraged informants recruited by Israel’s foreign intelligence service, Mossad.

Confirmation from Multiple Sources

Israeli military practice requires confirmation of a target’s location from two independent high-ranking officers. According to the Financial Times, the CIA provided a key confirmation of Khamenei’s presence at a meeting with Iranian security officials on Saturday morning, using information from a human source. The CIA has not publicly commented on its involvement.

Cyber Warfare Preceded Airstrike

Prior to the airstrike, the U.S. Military conducted cyberattacks designed to disrupt Iran’s communication and defense systems, according to a U.S. General quoted in the Financial Times. These attacks interfered with cell phone masts near the targeted complex, preventing security personnel from receiving warnings. Israel reportedly fired up to 30 Sparrow missiles, capable of precision strikes from long distances.

Khamenei’s Last Moments

The Financial Times reported that the opportunity to strike Khamenei during the Saturday morning meeting was considered crucial. Israeli and CIA officials believed that attempting to locate him after the start of a wider conflict would have been significantly more difficult, as he would likely have retreated to underground bunkers. Khamenei, 86, had reportedly acknowledged the possibility of his assassination, even suggesting it would not derail the future of the Islamic Republic.

Aftermath and Mourning

The Iranian government has confirmed Khamenei’s death and announced 40 days of mourning. The Jerusalem Post reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the objective of the operation was to end Khamenei’s regime. President Trump called for the overthrow of the authoritarian regime and urged the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to lay down its arms.