Israeli and United States forces on Tuesday carried out air strikes on a key building in Iran that houses the powerful Assembly of Experts according to local media reports.
The strikes reportedly targeted the assembly complex in Qom south of Tehran. The Assembly of Experts is constitutionally responsible for appointing supervising and if necessary dismissing Iran supreme leader. The comes days after former supreme leader Ali Khamenei was confirmed dead following an earlier wave of joint Israeli and United States operations.
Iranian news agencies including Tasnim stated that the building sustained severe damage. Footage circulating on local platforms showed smoke rising from the site though there was no immediate confirmation of casualties. Reports indicated that the facility may not have been in active use for official meetings at the time of the strike.
Earlier strikes were also said to have hit the main headquarters of the Assembly of Experts in Tehran intensifying tensions in the region. The escalating confrontation has raised fears of broader inility across the Middle East.
Following the confirmation of Khamenei death Iran announced the beginning of a transition process. Authorities disclosed plans to elish an interim leadership council made up of the president the head of the judiciary and a jurist from the Guardian Council. The council is expected to guide the country until a permanent successor is chosen.
Senior security official Ali Larijani is also reported to be playing a central role in the transition efforts as the country navigates one of the most significant political shifts in its recent history.
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