Report says intelligence agencies increasingly rely on human sources as electronic tracking yields few clues
LONDON: The CIA and Israel’s Mossad have reportedly intensified efforts to determine the whereabouts of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, according to a report published by The Times.
The newspaper reported that Khamenei has not appeared publicly since succeeding his father following a February 2026 airstrike. Citing unnamed intelligence sources and former officials, the report said some Western intelligence agencies believe he may have been seriously injured during the strike and has since maintained an exceptionally low public profile.
According to The Times, officials believe Khamenei has avoided using phones, computers and other electronic devices for more than 150 days, limiting opportunities for signals intelligence to identify his location. The report added that he is believed to be sheltering in a heavily protected underground facility, possibly in Tehran or near the city of Qom. These claims have not been independently verified.
Focus reportedly shifts to human intelligence
The report said intelligence agencies have increasingly shifted from electronic surveillance to human intelligence after failing to obtain reliable leads through cyber and communications monitoring.
Former Mossad officials quoted by The Times claimed Khamenei is believed to communicate through several layers of unwitting couriers carrying handwritten messages. According to the report, intelligence officials view infiltration of his inner circle as the most realistic method of confirming his whereabouts or current status.
Conflicting assessments emerge
The Times also reported that some intelligence figures speculate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could be concealing Khamenei’s death, while others believe the Iranian leadership may be using body doubles to disguise his movements. The newspaper presented these as assessments and suspicions rather than established facts.
Iranian authorities have not publicly commented on the report or the claims attributed to intelligence officials.
Because the information relies primarily on unnamed intelligence sources and former officials, the reported assessments remain unverified. Independent confirmation of Khamenei’s location, health or communications methods has not been made available, and no official evidence supporting the claims has been released publicly.
The CIA and Israel's Mossad are intensifying their search for Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since succeeding his father after the February 2026 airstrike.
Intelligence officials believe he was seriously injured in the… pic.twitter.com/ED9u7IbN6O
— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 30, 2026
