On Tuesday, Israel conducted an airstrike on the holy city of Qom, targeting the building that houses Iran's Assembly of Experts. This assembly is the constitutional body responsible for appointing the next supreme leader following the death of Ali Khamenei. According to Israeli sources, the attack aimed to disrupt the selection of his successor.
Reports from Israeli outlets such as The Jerusalem Post and Israel Hayom indicate that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck the location during a meeting of the council's 88 members. A senior Israeli official stated the objective was clear: “We wanted to prevent the election of a new supreme leader.”
The Assembly of Experts plays a crucial role in the governance of the Islamic Republic. Sources suggest the bombing occurred as voting was about to commence, with some members reportedly holding ballots at the time.
At the time of writing, it remains unverified whether all 88 members were present during the attack. Iranian media reported that the building was “flattened” by the bombing, releasing images showing severe damage to the structure located in Qom's Rasalat Square, south of Tehran.
However, some official agencies claimed the building was unoccupied at the moment of impact. Contradictory reports from Iranian channels suggested a prior meeting on succession took place, with potential casualties among council members, though independent confirmation is lacking.
This strike comes amid significant political uncertainty in Iran following Khamenei's death, which occurred at the onset of a joint offensive by the United States and Israel.
As revealed by The New York Times, a three-member committee, appointed by Khamenei himself, was hastily advancing the selection of potential candidates to ensure a swift transition, although the identities remain undisclosed.
On Tuesday, Iranian advisor Ali Larijani announced the formation of a provisional leadership council, comprising the president, the chief of the judiciary, and a cleric from the Guardian Council, to temporarily assume leadership duties until a new supreme leader is formally appointed.
Simultaneously, Israel also targeted Mehrabad Airport in central Tehran, a hub for domestic and diplomatic flights. The Iranian Mehr Agency circulated images of thick smoke billowing from the site.
Previous reports mentioned that a building formerly used as the Iranian Parliament's headquarters was also hit in recent bombings.
The assault on the Assembly of Experts represents a direct hit to the institutional framework ensuring the ayatollahs' regime continuity, marking a new escalation in the ongoing confrontation between Israel and Iran amid heightened regional tensions.
Key Questions on the Israeli Airstrike in Iran
What was the target of the Israeli airstrike in Qom?
The target was the building housing Iran's Assembly of Experts, responsible for appointing the new supreme leader.
Why did Israel launch this airstrike?
According to Israeli sources, the airstrike aimed to prevent the election of a new supreme leader following Khamenei's death.
Were there any casualties reported from the attack?
There are conflicting reports, with some suggesting casualties among council members, but no independent confirmation is available.