Israel’s February 2026 assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, hailed domestically as a Mossad triumph, was in fact a joint US-Israeli operation, according to multiple analysts cited by Al Jazeera. The mission, which also killed senior Iranian military figures, depended heavily on CIA surveillance, US drones, and American missile and bomber support. Similar US-backed coordination was seen in earlier strikes against Hezbollah and Hamas leaders in 2024 and 2025. Experts from the International Institute for Strategic Studies said the CIA provided real-time intelligence that enabled the precision attack.

Analyst Mamoun Abu Amer described the operations as evidence of Israel’s dependence on Washington rather than proof of Mossad’s autonomy. He said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the strikes to claim political victory by drawing the US into direct confrontation with Iran. Abu Amer also noted that Mossad’s success often stems from exploiting local collaborators and sociopolitical fractures within Iran and Lebanon, rather than purely technological superiority.

The report added that the joint strikes triggered environmental and humanitarian crises in Tehran and surrounding areas. Experts warned that despite their tactical success, these assassinations have failed to secure long-term stability, leaving the region mired in renewed conflict.