Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 3, 2026. (Credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA/via Reuters)
Israeli-American strikes on Tuesday targeted the building housing the institution responsible for electing a new supreme leader to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war, local media reported.
According to the Tasnim agency, "American-Zionist criminals attacked the building of the Assembly of Experts in Qom," which is responsible for appointing, supervising and possibly dismissing the supreme leader.
Qom is a holy city located south of Tehran.
Local media broadcast images of a severely damaged building.
No information has yet been given on whether or not people were present at the time of the strikes and on possible casualties.
The Mehr news agency is the only media outlet to claim that the attacked building was no longer used for meetings.
On Monday, the main headquarters of the Assembly of Experts in Tehran had already been targeted by strikes, according to Tasnim.
Iran officially began a transition process on Sunday after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the U.S.-Israeli attack on Saturday, after 36 years in power.
This process involves the formation of a Provisional Governing Council comprising Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, the head of the judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a religious dignitary and member of the Assembly of Experts and the Council of Guardians of the Constitution, Alireza Arafi.
This triumvirate is responsible for ensuring the interim until the election of a new supreme leader in the coming days.
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