The Elimination of Khamenei: How Israel Prepared for the Operation for Years through Camera Hacks in Tehran

The Elimination of Ali Khamenei

According to ХВИЛЯ: On March 1, 2024, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli airstrike. This operation was the result of a years-long intelligence campaign conducted by Israel and the USA, which included hacking surveillance cameras in Tehran, compromising mobile networks, and agent work. The strikes were carried out using precision munitions launched from a long distance.

The road surveillance cameras in Tehran, hacked several years ago, transmitted images to servers in Israel. One of the stages in the preparation for Khamenei's elimination was disabling components of mobile communication towers located near Pasteur Street in Tehran. Up to 30 precision munitions were released to execute the operation. The strike was carried out during daylight using a Sparrow missile capable of hitting targets over 1000 km away.

Political and Strategic Consequences

The decision to eliminate Khamenei was political. The operation was preceded by a directive from former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in 2001, who identified Iran as a priority for Israeli security. Khamenei was 86 years old at the time of elimination. As noted by one of the Israeli intelligence agents:

“Long before the bombing, we knew Tehran as well as Jerusalem. And when you know a place as well as the street you grew up on, you notice the slightest detail that is out of place.”

The operation also became part of a broader Israeli strategy. In September 2024, Israeli fighters dropped up to 80 bombs on the hideout of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. In June 2025, Israel eliminated over a dozen Iranian nuclear scientists and high-ranking military personnel. In 2024, the leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was eliminated in Tehran. An equally important part of this strategy was a secret operation to mine thousands of pagers and radios of Hezbollah, costing $300 million.

In preparation for the operations, Israeli services utilized the 8200 electronic intelligence unit, the Mossad's agent network, and military intelligence. Network analysis of connections was also conducted to process billions of data points. The requirement of Israeli military doctrine stipulates that two senior officers must independently confirm the target before a strike is executed. This prolonged strategy reflects Israel's increasing activity in the region, driven by the need to ensure national security.

This event, occurring in the context of international tensions, could significantly impact the balance of power in the Middle East region. The elimination of Khamenei, who had been a key figure in Iranian politics for decades, could provoke a new wave of conflicts and escalation of violence. At the same time, these actions by Israel demonstrate its determination to combat threats from Iran and its proxy groups, which may lead to increased operational activity from other players in the region.