Israeli and U.S. airstrikes have reportedly targeted a key institution responsible for selecting Iran’s next supreme leader, according to Iranian state-affiliated media.
The strikes allegedly hit a building belonging to the Assembly of Experts in the city of Qom, a prominent religious center south of Tehran. The Assembly of Experts is constitutionally mandated to appoint, supervise, and, if necessary, dismiss Iran’s supreme leader.
The reported attack follows claims that Iran’s former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during a wave of U.S.–Israeli strikes over the weekend. Iranian authorities have since confirmed his death and announced the beginning of a formal political transition process.
The semi-official Tasnim News Agency described the strike on the Qom building as an assault by “American-Zionist criminals,” and released footage showing significant structural damage. However, there have been no confirmed reports of casualties. Meanwhile, the Mehr News Agency stated that the targeted facility was no longer actively being used for official meetings.
Tasnim further reported that earlier strikes had also hit the Assembly’s main headquarters in Tehran earlier in the week.
In response to Khamenei’s death, Iran has initiated a transitional leadership framework. Plans include the formation of an interim council composed of the president, the head of the judiciary, and a senior cleric from the Guardian Council, the powerful oversight body that reviews legislation and vets electoral candidates.
A prominent role in the transition is also expected for Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani.
The interim leadership council will govern the country while the Assembly of Experts deliberates and ultimately appoints a permanent successor — a decision that will shape the future direction of the Islamic Republic at a moment of extraordinary geopolitical tension.
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