The operation that led to the killing of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026, was underpinned by U.S. intelligence, which played a pivotal role in locating the Iranian leadership. This intelligence, shared with Israel, facilitated the execution of Operation Epic Fury, demonstrating how critical intelligence gathering is to military operations. The success of the operation highlights vulnerabilities within Iran's intelligence structure, which is hampered by internal competition and a centralized command system. The aftermath saw Iran conducting a purge of individuals suspected of espionage, reflecting the regime's paranoia and inability to discern genuine threats from false accusations. As the U.S. contemplates future military strategies, the lessons learned emphasize the importance of human intelligence and collection capabilities over mere technological advancements. The intelligence war preceding the physical conflict was decisive, suggesting that future engagements with Iran will similarly hinge on covert operations rather than open combat.