Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in what Israeli officials described as a highly coordinated Israeli-US operation that lasted just 60 seconds.
The strike reportedly eliminated dozens of senior Iranian figures and has sharply escalated tensions across the Middle East.
How the Operation Unfolded
According to officials cited by The New York Times, intelligence gathered by Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) helped confirm Khamenei’s presence at a leadership compound in Tehran.
Israeli sources said the near-simultaneous strikes targeted multiple locations in the capital, killing:
-
Khamenei, 86
-
Seven top Iranian security leaders
-
About a dozen members of his family and close entourage
-
Dozens of additional senior officials
Israeli intelligence had reportedly tracked Khamenei’s movements for years, compiling detailed information about his routines and security arrangements.
Strategic Gamble
The assassination marks an unprecedented escalation. Israel has previously conducted targeted killings abroad but had never killed a sitting head of state.
Intelligence analyst Yossi Melman warned that assassinations often fail to eliminate long-term threats, citing past operations against Hamas and Hezbollah leadership.
Former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin described the strike as both a tactical and operational surprise.
Regional Impact
The killing triggered a new wave of military escalation between Israel, the US, and Iran, raising fears of prolonged instability across the Middle East.
