BREAKING: US-Israeli Strike Hits Iran’s 88-Member Council Deliberating To Appoint Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Replacement
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has reportedly carried out a precision airstrike on a building in Qom believed to be housing members of Iran’s powerful clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, amid ongoing hostilities between Israel, the United States and Iran.
According to Israeli and regional media reports, the strike targeted the facility while members of the 88-member council were allegedly meeting to deliberate on succession plans following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in earlier coordinated strikes on February 28, 2026.
Footage circulating online showed multiple explosions rocking the structure in broad daylight, with thick smoke rising from the site. Some Israeli sources described the building as severely damaged, while Iranian authorities claimed the facility was either empty at the time of the attack or that official proceedings would continue virtually.
The Assembly of Experts, which plays a constitutional role in appointing and supervising Iran’s Supreme Leader, is considered one of the most critical institutions within the country’s theocratic system. Its disruption could significantly complicate Tehran’s leadership transition process at a time of heightened military pressure.
The strike in Qom, a major religious and political hub south of Tehran, comes amid a broader campaign targeting senior figures and strategic assets, including commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Meanwhile, Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah, have issued warnings of possible retaliation, raising fears of further escalation across the region.
There has been no independent confirmation of casualties as of press time, and Iranian state media has yet to release detailed information on the extent of damage or potential impact on the succession process.
The latest development signals a deepening crisis in the region, with diplomatic and security analysts warning that the conflict could widen if retaliatory measures are carried out.
