Israel and the United States executed a long-planned intelligence operation to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as detailed by the Financial Times. The operation utilized years of surveillance and information-gathering efforts, including accessing nearly all traffic surveillance cameras in Tehran, which had been previously hacked. One crucial camera revealed the parking habits of Khamenei's security team, providing valuable insights for the operation.

In addition to hacking CCTV systems, Israeli intelligence infiltrated Iran's mobile networks to gather further information. U.S. operatives within Iran contributed to the intelligence landscape, with algorithms analyzing the security personnel's addresses, work hours, and transportation routes. This strategic approach included detecting hidden command centers, identifying new targets, and improving situational awareness in Tehran, showcasing a high level of operational familiarity with the city.

Israeli intelligence officials expressed confidence in their operations, noting they understood Tehran as well as they did Jerusalem. The cooperation with the CIA led to a timely execution of the mission on Saturday morning, marking a significant escalatory step in the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, with potential ramifications for regional stability and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.