Iran built a vast camera network to control dissent. Israel turned it into a targeting tool
https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-security-cameras-surveillance-5f9a1fe5845d94894f3edd50af560d3a
Iran built a vast camera network to control dissent. Israel turned it into a targeting tool
By DAKE KANG and SAM MEDNICK
Updated 7:38 AM CDT, March 23, 2026
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) The role of Israels hijacking of Irans street cameras in the killing of the countrys supreme leader underscores how surveillance systems are increasingly being targeted by adversaries in wartime.
Hundreds of millions of cameras have been installed above shops, in homes and on street corners across the world, many connected to the internet and poorly secured. Recent advances in artificial intelligence have enabled militaries and intelligence agencies to sift through vast amounts of surveillance footage and identify targets.
On Feb. 28, Israel vividly demonstrated the potential of such systems to be hacked and used against adversaries when Israel tracked down Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with the help of Tehrans own street cameras - despite repeated warnings that Irans surveillance systems had been compromised, according to interviews and an Associated Press review of leaked data, public statements and news reports.
The use of hacked surveillance cameras among other intelligence in the operation to kill Khamenei was described to the AP by an intelligence official with knowledge of the operation and another person who was briefed on the operation. Neither was authorized to speak with the media and both shared information on condition of anonymity.
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