Translation (English)
A surprise military operation carried out by the Zionist entity with U.S. support led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in an airstrike on his Tehran residence, marking the start of a large‑scale offensive against Iran, according to an investigation published by The Wall Street Journal.
According to the American newspaper, the attack was launched early Saturday morning to maximize the element of surprise. Unlike his usual practice when an attack is anticipated, Khamenei had not taken shelter and was inside his residence at the time of the strike, allowing the forces involved to hit him in the opening hours of the conflict.
The operation is said to have been prepared for a long time. Israeli intelligence services had been tracking the Iranian leader’s movements for years, notably through Unit 8200, which specializes in communications interception and cyber‑operations. The report states that these efforts were bolstered by the use of artificial‑intelligence technologies to analyze massive data volumes, as well as by information obtained from on‑the‑ground sources and surveillance systems.
The CIA is also reported to have supplied intelligence as part of the operation’s preparation. On the morning of the attack, the involved services confirmed Khamenei’s presence in his residence, where high‑ranking Iranian officials were also holding meetings.
Around 7:30 a.m. local time, Israeli fighter jets took off to carry out the mission. The strikes began at approximately 9:40 a.m., when several precision missiles were launched toward the targeted complex. A few minutes later, columns of smoke were visible above the site, which was hit repeatedly.
Satellite imagery later showed extensive damage to the complex, which housed official buildings and the Supreme Leader’s residence. Multiple structures were damaged, with the area where Khamenei was located being the most heavily hit, according to the newspaper.
The attack is also said to have killed several senior Iranian officials, including members of the security services and the military leadership, based on security sources cited in the report.
In the hours that followed, the United States and the Zionist entity expanded their operations, targeting Iranian air‑defense systems and military infrastructure. Hundreds of targets were reportedly struck within the first 24 hours, marking a major escalation in the conflict.
Following Khamenei’s death, Iranian authorities established a provisional leadership to manage the political transition, while gatherings took place in several cities across the country, ranging from mourning demonstrations to mixed reactions among the population.
