Over recent months, U.S. intelligence agencies closely monitored Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, scrutinizing his movements until he convened with senior regime figures within his secure compound. This meeting coincided with a series of deadly strikes on Saturday.

The CIA had become well-acquainted with the routines of the 86-year-old leader before acquiring fresh intelligence regarding the pivotal assembly in the heart of Tehran. According to a Sunday report by the New York Times, which referenced unnamed sources, this intelligence proved crucial.

Following the discovery of this significant meeting, U.S. and Israeli military authorities decided to shift the timing of their planned operation, known as “Operation Epic Fury.” Originally set for nighttime, the operation was executed in a surprise daylight attack, resulting in the deaths of Khamenei and approximately 40 high-ranking Iranian officials. Among those killed were the Minister of Defense, the Head of Intelligence, and the Supreme Leader’s Advisor for Security Affairs and Secretary of the Defense Council.

Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported that two military leaders, Rear Adm. Shamkhani and Maj. Gen. Pakpour, were also among the casualties.

State television confirmed that Abdolrahim Mousavi, Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff and the country’s highest-ranking military officer, was one of the regime leaders killed in the coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.

These strategic attacks, characterized as a “tactical surprise,” had been meticulously planned by Israeli officials over several months.

Fighter jets launched out of Israel Saturday morning and arrived in Tehran just before 10 a.m., where they struck the fortified government compound where the officials were gathered.

The senior officials and Khamenei were in two separate buildings of the compound obliterated by the strikes.

President Trump confirmed Khamenei’s death on Saturday, calling him “one of the most evil people in history.

“This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social Saturday.

The commander in chief called for the remaining regime officials to agree to a diplomatic solution as it is “much easier now than it was a day ago, obviously, because they are getting beat up badly,” he told CBS News’ Robert Costa.

He also extended an “immunity” to supporters of the murderous ayatollah, or else they’d suffer grave consequences later.

“We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us,” Trump said in a social media post. “As I said last night, ‘Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!’”