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CIA tracked Iranian leaders ‘for months’ before strikes, sharing intelligence with Israel

The CIA had been tracking the movements of senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for months. That is according to a person familiar with the operation who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on Sunday on condition of anonymity. The intelligence was shared with Israeli officials, and the timing of this weekend’s strikes was adjusted in part because of that information, the person said. The New York Times earlier reported on the CIA’s efforts ahead...

Mar 01, 2026 &03210101202631; 19:21 UTC www.scmp.com Trending 4/5

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Negative for markets

Sentiment score: -70/100

Moderate impact Immediate effect (hours)

WHAT THIS MEANS

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AI CONFIDENCE

0% Low

SENTIMENT GAUGE

NEWS POWER SCORE

AFFECTED ASSETS

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Oil (WTI Crude)

CL=FCommodity

Expected to rise

Middle East tensions threaten oil supply, driving prices higher.

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Gold Futures

GC=FCommodity

Expected to rise

Geopolitical uncertainty boosts demand for safe-haven assets like gold.

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Euro / US Dollar

EURUSDCurrency

Expected to decline

USD expected to strengthen as a safe-haven currency amid increased risk.

PRICE HISTORY

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⚡ SUGGESTED ACTION

Shift towards defensive assets such as gold and consider hedging oil exposure; reduce equity positions in volatile sectors until clarity emerges.

KEY SIGNALS

Increased Middle East geopolitical riskUS-Israel intelligence cooperation affecting military timingPotential for oil supply disruptions

SECTORS INVOLVED

EnergyDefenseAerospace

Analysis generated on Mar 01, 2026 at 19:27 UTC

Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by artificial intelligence for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendation, or solicitation. Original reporting by SCMP Business. Always conduct your own research and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

CIA tracked Iranian leaders ‘for months’ before strikes, sharing intelligence with Israel

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