Iran built a vast camera network to control dissent. Israel turned it into a targeting tool

Iran developed a vast network of street cameras for internal surveillance and control of dissent. According to the article, Israel repurposed this camera network, turning it into a targeting tool. The article suggests this surveillance system played a role in the killing of Iran's supreme leader. The article, originating from Tel Aviv, highlights the increasing use of surveillance systems for purposes beyond their original intent. The Associated Press reported this information with updates through the current day.

In 2026, an Associated Press report revealed that Israel utilized Iran's own hacked street camera network to track and assassinate Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28th. The article highlights the increasing vulnerability of global surveillance systems, many of which are internet-connected and poorly secured. Advances in artificial intelligence enable the sifting of vast amounts of footage, making these systems attractive targets for adversaries. Cybersecurity experts have warned for years about the potential for street cameras to be hacked. The incident underscores the potential for hacked surveillance systems to be weaponized in wartime.