Israel strikes Council of Experts building in holy city of Qom — targeting Supreme Leader succession infrastructure; strikes came after Mojtaba Khamenei election

Israeli Air Force struck the building housing Iran’s Council of Experts (Assembly of Experts) in Qom, one day after attacking its main headquarters in Tehran. The Council is the 88-member body with exclusive constitutional authority to select a new Supreme Leader. Strike came AFTER Mojtaba Khamenei was reportedly elected — suggesting Israel is attempting to delegitimize or disrupt formal confirmation. Striking Qom — one of Shia Islam’s holiest cities, home to the Fatima Masumeh Shrine — carries enormous symbolic and religious significance, likely inflaming Shia communities globally and strengthening the religious war framing.