Inside the US-Israel plan to assassinate Iran’s Khamenei
Al Jazeera
March 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The United States and Israel have reportedly carried out a coordinated airstrike that resulted in the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This significant event marks a turning point for Iran, as Khamenei had been a central figure in the country's leadership since 1981. The operation was made possible through intelligence shared by the CIA with Israel, which pinpointed Khamenei’s location during a critical meeting involving top military officials. The strikes also claimed the lives of several senior Iranian military leaders and triggered widespread protests across Iran, with reports indicating over 700 casualties, including 165 schoolgirls killed in an attack on a southern city.
The assassination unfolded after Khamenei was targeted in Tehran during a meeting that included key defense officials. According to sources cited by The New York Times, the CIA had gathered intelligence about this gathering and passed it to Israel. This led to the precise strike at 9:40 am local time, hitting the central location where the Supreme Leader’s offices and residences are located, including those of Iran's president and National Security Council. While the exact methods used by the CIA to obtain this critical information remain unclear, speculation suggests a combination of human intelligence, signals intelligence, and possibly over-the-horizon tracking systems.
The aftermath of Khamenei’s death has sent shockwaves through Iran, with reports indicating mass protests and state crackdowns, including deadly suppressions of regime-change calls. The assassination raises questions about the motivations behind such a high-stakes operation and its implications for regional stability. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions between Iran and Western powers, as well as the US-Israel alliance’s willingness to take direct action against Iran's leadership.
This event is significant not only for its immediate impact on Iran but also for the
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 3/3/2026