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Israel launched a large-scale attack on a building in Tehran housing a council tasked with selecting the next Supreme Leader of Iran, according to multiple international news agencies. The strike occurred as the assembly was convening, with reports indicating 88 ayatollahs were present. The attack follows the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, in a joint U.S.-Israeli operation on Saturday.
The Israeli military confirmed conducting the attack, stating it targeted a “sensitive site” in Tehran. Iranian state media confirmed the strike on the assembly building, but details regarding casualties remain limited. The attack represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, which began following Khamenei’s death and subsequent Iranian retaliatory strikes against Israel and U.S. Military assets in the Gulf region.
Ayatollah Khamenei, 86, had held power since 1989 and was known for his staunch opposition to the United States and Israel. His death, confirmed by both President Trump and Israeli leaders, has triggered a period of mourning and a pledge of “revenge” from Tehran. The U.S. And Israel have called for the overthrow of the current Iranian regime.
Following Khamenei’s death, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced a series of “extensive missile and drone” attacks targeting Israeli military assets and 27 U.S. Bases in the Middle East. Ahmad Vahidi has been named the IRGC’s new commander-in-chief, though this appointment has not been independently verified.
Among those killed alongside Khamenei were his daughter, son-in-law, grandson, security advisor Ali Shamkhani, and IRGC Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Pakpour. Iranian armed forces’ chief of staff, Abdul Rahim Mousavi, and Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh were also reported dead in the initial attacks.
The attacks on Saturday, which killed Khamenei, were described as a joint U.S.-Israeli operation. The Israeli military initiated strikes deep inside Tehran a day after the initial assault. Iran’s state media confirmed the deaths of several high-ranking officials, including Khamenei, Shamkhani, and Pakpour.
The current situation leaves the succession of Iran’s Supreme Leader uncertain. The assembly targeted in today’s attack was convened to determine Khamenei’s replacement. No immediate statement has been released regarding the assembly’s ability to continue its deliberations following the Israeli strike.
