How Israel allegedly hacked Iran’s cameras to track Khamenei ahead of targeted strike

A London-based report by the Financial Times has revealed details of a covert, years-long intelligence operation that allegedly enabled Israel to track and eliminate Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Years of digital surveillance 

According to the report, Israeli spy agencies infiltrated Tehran’s surveillance grid, hacking nearly all traffic cameras across the capital. The footage was reportedly encrypted and transmitted to secure servers, allowing real-time monitoring of high-value targets.

Sources cited by the newspaper claim Israeli operatives also gained access to Iranian mobile phone networks, tracking the movements of Khamenei and his security detail over several years. The extensive digital footprint allegedly enabled Israeli and American forces to pinpoint his exact location, culminating in a targeted strike.

Political justification from U.S. and Israel  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operation in an interview with Fox News, accusing Iran’s leadership of pursuing the destruction of the United States.

US Vice President JD Vance said President Donald Trump acted to permanently prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the strikes were necessary to neutralise missile and drone threats.

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Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the claims, calling the conflict a “war of choice.”
As tensions escalate across West Asia, Iran continues targeting US assets and Gulf states, while Washington warns that further military action could follow.