Israeli Airstrike Kills Iran'S Supreme Leader Khamenei In Tehran

On March 1, 2026, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, was killed in a targeted strike by Israeli forces, facilitated by months of intelligence gathering by the CIA. The operation was executed during a high-level meeting in Tehran, where Khamenei was present along with other senior military officials. According to CBS News, the CIA had been tracking Khamenei's movements for months, gaining crucial insights that allowed them to capitalize on the timing of the strike. President Trump stated that as many as 48 Iranian leaders were killed in the operation, underscoring the scale of the attack. The strike was described as a culmination of a long-term intelligence effort, with U.S. officials confirming that three American service members were killed and five others injured during the operation (CBS News, March 1, 2026).