How Was Khamenei Killed?

The reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on March 1, 2026, was shaped by extended intelligence gathering, according to The New York Times. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analysts had tracked Hamaney’s movements and patterns for months, building a detailed profile of his likely locations and routines. This long‑term tracking was intended to increase the precision and timeliness of any joint action with allied forces.

NYT sources familiar with the operation told the newspaper that the CIA’s pattern analysis yielded “high‑accuracy” intelligence about Hamaney’s presence at a leadership compound in central Tehran where multiple top Iranian officials were expected to convene on a Saturday morning. The compound also housed offices tied to Iran’s presidency and national security leadership.

This intelligence was shared with Israeli counterparts in advance of the strike and was central to decisions about both target selection and timing.

Initial plans for the strike reportedly envisioned a night operation, but once the CIA confirmed Hamaney’s anticipated attendance at the meeting, U.S. and Israeli planners adjusted the attack plan. The New York Times reported that this change was intended to maximize the likelihood of striking Hamaney alongside other senior officials.

Israeli aircraft equipped with long‑range precision munitions departed from bases around 06:00 local time. Roughly two hours and five minutes later, at about 09:40 Tehran time, long‑range missiles struck the leadership compound. According to NYT’s account, several senior Iranian national security officials were inside one building when the strikes hit, while Khamenei was in a nearby structure.

An Israeli defence official quoted in The New York Times framed the operation as simultaneous strikes on multiple points, with the goal of disrupting Iran’s top political and security hierarchy. “This morning’s strike was carried out simultaneously at several locations in Tehran… one of which had Iran’s senior political‑security figures gathered,” the message reads.

According to NYT reporting, the final operation involved a limited flight of aircraft, chosen for their range and precision, rather than a large bomber formation. The shift in timing based on the CIA’s updated intelligence is presented as a tactical decision to exploit an opportune window when multiple leaders would be in one place.

Hamaney’s death was later confirmed by Iranian officials, who acknowledged the strike on state media and announced a period of national mourning. In parallel, several high‑ranking Iranian commanders were also reported killed in the same operation by local and international outlets