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. Defence Minister Israel Katz previously said that Israel did not have the opportunity to target the supreme leader in June, as he likely took shelter in underground bunkers and went silent. Although he didn’t provide any more specifics, it’s likely he was referring to Israel’s salvo that killed Khamenei and many of Iran’s top leaders, which reportedly also drew on American intelligence to pinpoint the location of Iran’s supreme leader in his compound. That confirmation came early Sunday morning, when Iran’s state broadcaster announced: “The Supreme Leader of Iran has Reached Martyrdom.”

Source: CNN March 04, 2026 13:22 UTC