Israeli and U.S. forces struck a building in the Iranian city of Qom on Tuesday, where members of the Assembly of Experts were reportedly meeting to select a successor to slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian and Israeli sources.
The 88-member assembly is a powerful clerical body responsible for appointing, supervising, and, if necessary, dismissing Iran’s supreme leader.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin confirmed that the Israeli Air Force targeted the Assembly of Experts’ headquarters in Qom, the religious center south of Tehran.
Footage shared on social media showed explosions and smoke rising from the city, though it remains unclear how many of the assembly’s members were in attendance at the time.
The Israeli Air Force has attacked the “Assembly of Experts” meeting in Qom, Iran as they were gathering to choose the new Supreme Leader. The council is comprised of 88 religious leaders from around Iran who choose the Ayatollah. pic.twitter.com/kZ68nJE9tb
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 3, 2026
The Islamic republic’s Assembly of Experts building in Qom was attacked while the 88 council members were voting to choose the next supreme leader. pic.twitter.com/Q2la7h3p4P
— Emily Schrader – אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) March 3, 2026
A senior Israeli official told Fox News that the attack occurred “while they were counting the votes for the appointment of the supreme leader.”
Iran has not released casualty figures or details on whether any members of the Assembly of Experts were killed or injured. Unconfirmed reports in Iranian media suggested that none of the members were inside the building when the strike occurred.
More than 40 of Iran’s senior leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have been killed since Saturday, when the United States and Israel began their joint military campaign against Iran.
Washington has not publicly confirmed involvement in the Qom strike.
