Seat of power devastated - Israeli strike damages Assembly of Experts building as Iran selects Khamenei successor

"Footage released by Iranian state television on Tuesday shows the aftermath of an Israeli strike at the Assembly of Experts building in Qom. Debris is seen scattered across offices and corridors, shattered glass, damaged walls and parts of the structure exposed. Other clips capture residents walking near the site and surveying the damage. The Assembly of Experts is the constitutional body responsible for appointing and overseeing Iran’s Supreme Leader. The strike came after the IDF announced a new wave of attacks targeting sites across Iran. According to some media reports, the Israeli air force targeted the Assembly building 'while votes were being counted', in an apparent attempt to disrupt the process of selecting a successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, Iran’s Fars News Agency confirmed the building was struck but said no in-person session was being held at the time. It reported that members of the Assembly were participating remotely due to security concerns and to safeguard representatives. The developments follow Saturday’s joint US-Israeli military operation against Iranian targets. Tehran has said it is responding with missile and drone strikes against Israel and US assets in the region, with explosions reported across parts of the Gulf. Khamenei’s death was confirmed on Sunday after he was killed in strikes on Tehran. "