CIA secretly tracked Ali Khamenei for months before US-Israel strike that led to his death

WASHINGTON, DC: Israeli and American intelligence agencies, including the CIA, closely tracked Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for months before a coordinated strike on February 28 that resulted in his death, according to multiple sources cited by CNN.

Five people familiar with the operation said intelligence officials gathered detailed information about the 86-year-old leader’s daily routines, movements, communications, and potential safe locations. The surveillance effort reportedly intensified in the weeks leading up to the joint Israeli-US attack on targets in Tehran.

The strike marked a dramatic escalation in regional tensions and followed months of intelligence coordination between Washington and Jerusalem.

Daytime strike followed months of intelligence tracking

Sources told CNN that officials tracked where Khamenei lived, whom he met, and how he communicated. Analysts also assessed where he might seek shelter in the event of military action.

According to three sources, intelligence indicated that senior Iranian officials, including Khamenei, were meeting at separate locations within a Tehran compound on Saturday morning. Officials also concluded that he exercised greater caution at night, prompting planners to approve a daytime operation.

Israeli warplanes launched missiles at around 6 am, striking the compound while high-level meetings were underway.

Operation Roaring Lion targeted senior Iranian leadership

Ahead of the operation, Israel’s Chief of the General Staff, Eyal Zamir, sent a message to Israeli Air Force pilots signaling the start of 'Operation Roaring Lion.' In the note, he informed pilots they were cleared to strike designated targets at dawn.

Later that day, President President Donald Trump announced Khamenei’s death on Truth Social, describing the operation as a coordinated effort between US and Israeli intelligence.

Trump wrote that Khamenei was unable to evade advanced tracking systems and said multiple leaders died in the strike. He also stated that military operations would continue as long as necessary to achieve US objectives in the region.

Iran vows retaliation after Khamenei’s death

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the strike, calling it a grave crime. In a public statement, he said the attack would not go unanswered and warned it would mark a new chapter in the region’s history.

Pezeshkian added that Iran would hold those responsible accountable and respond with full strength.

 The strike has heightened tensions across the Middle East, with regional actors closely watching for further escalation following the unprecedented targeting of Iran’s top leader.