In preparation for a surprise attack on Iran, the United States and Israel conducted significant cyber operations to disrupt Iran's communication networks and traffic cameras, essentially blinding and deafening the country before the airstrikes began. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Cain, reported that the U.S. Cyber Command and Space Command led operations to incapacitate Iran's reconnaissance and communication capabilities, preceding a targeted assault on key leadership figures, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Reports indicate that Israel had been monitoring high-ranking Iranian officials' movements by hacking traffic cameras in Tehran for several years. After receiving intelligence from the CIA about Khamenei's scheduled meetings, Israeli forces executed timely cyberattacks on communication networks, ensuring that security teams could not reach their targets. On the morning of the attack, Israeli forces partially disabled over ten mobile communication towers around Khamenei's location, creating disruptions that prevented effective coordination for any potential defense against the strikes. Subsequently, more than 200 Israeli fighter jets launched precision-guided munitions on about 500 locations, significantly targeting Iranian military and leadership sites.

This approach is reminiscent of previous military operations where rapid cyber interference predated conventional attacks, noted by the West's advanced surveillance and AI capabilities that limit leaders' ability to hide. Former President Donald Trump had previously boasted about control over Iranian airspace and tracking capabilities, showcasing the increasing overlap between cyber warfare and traditional military action, particularly as intelligence-gathering has become more sophisticated in the context of geopolitical tensions in the region.