How CIA Intelligence Guided US-Israel Strike That Killed Iran’s Supreme Leader

United States intelligence played a central role in a joint American and Israeli operation that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a report by The New York Times.

The newspaper, citing officials familiar with the operation, said the Central Intelligence Agency had monitored Khamenei’s movements for months. US intelligence reportedly learned that he would attend a meeting of senior Iranian officials at a leadership compound in central Tehran on Saturday morning.

Iranian state media confirmed Sunday that Khamenei was killed in coordinated strikes on the capital. The development followed recent statements by Washington and Tel Aviv pledging to pursue regime change in the Islamic Republic.

According to the report, US and Israeli officials had initially planned to launch the attack at night. The timing was later revised after the CIA provided information indicating Khamenei’s presence at the compound during the scheduled meeting.

The United States shared the intelligence with Israel, which executed the strike targeting the Iranian leadership. The operation reportedly began around 6:00 a.m. local time in Israel (0400 GMT), with long-range missiles hitting the compound at approximately 9:40 a.m.

Senior Iranian national security officials were said to be gathered in one building within the complex, while Khamenei was in a nearby structure.

Iran’s judiciary confirmed that two senior military figures were also killed: General Mohammad Pakpour, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Ali Shamkhani, a top security adviser.

Tehran has since launched retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region. Reports indicate attacks in the United Arab Emirates, including in the capital, Abu Dhabi, and near US military installations. The escalation has heightened concerns about a broader regional conflict.

President Donald Trump said US military operations would continue “as long as necessary.”