In went visual intelligence, human intelligence, signals intelligence, intercepted communications, satellite imagery and more. The primary target was Iran’s now deceased supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who Israeli officials believe felt less vulnerable during daylight hours. Satellite image shows the compound of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran on February 23, 2026, before Saturday's strike. Airbus Satellite image shows smoke billowing from the compound of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, on February 28, 2026, after Saturday's strikes. That confirmation came early Sunday morning, when Iran’s state broadcaster announced: “The Supreme Leader of Iran has Reached Martyrdom.”

Source: CNN March 03, 2026 19:30 UTC