Iran’s senior clerics ‘exposed’ after building strike in Qom, succession choice looms

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Senior Iranian clerics would have been left “exposed” after an Israeli airstrike hit a meeting place where they were supposed to be convening Tuesday — days after a strike leveled the Tehran compound of Supreme Leader AyatollahAli Khamenei, a defense analyst has claimed.

The clerics, members of the Assembly of Experts, had reportedly planned to meet at the location in Qom to deliberatesuccession plans forKhamenei, who was killed in the strikes, according toThe Times of Israel.

“This second strike would be another embarrassment to what has been left of the regime,”intelligence dominanceand superiority because any movement is detected, meaning they would feel exposed,” Michael added.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli airstrike Saturday.(Getty Images)

“As of now, the leadership would feel insecure and hunted, with all of their plans collapsing one after another.”

“They would feel totally isolated and understand that the biggest risk might come from home — from a potential uprising next,” he added.

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Brig.Gen.Effie Defrin confirmed that theIsraeli Air Forcestruck the building where senior clerics had planned to assemble, The Times of Israel reported.

KHAMENEI’S DEATH OPENS UNCERTAIN CHAPTER FOR IRAN’S ENTRENCHED THEOCRACY

A person watches a smoke plume rise in the distant in Tehran, Iran on March 2, 2026.

A general view of Tehran with smoke visible in the distance after explosions were reported in the city, Monday, in Iran.(Contributor/Getty Images)

It remains unclear how many of the 88 members were present at the time of the strike, according to an Israeli defense source cited by the outlet.The second strike on Iran’s leadership comes amid abroader military campaign.

S.forces havestruck more than 1,700 targetsacross Iran in the first 72 hours of Operation Epic Fury, according to a U.S.Central Command fact sheet.

The campaign is aimed atdismantling Iran’s security apparatusand neutralizing what officials describe as imminent threats.

According to U.S.Central Command, targets have includedcommand-and-control centers, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Joint Headquarters, the IRGC Aerospace Forces headquarters, integrated air defense systems and ballistic missile sites.

FIREBRAND ANTI-AMERICAN CLERIC ALIREZA ARAFI SEEN AS CONTENDER TO REPLACE IRAN’S KHAMENEI

A U.S. Navy destroyer launches a missile from its deck while underway at sea.

The USS Thomas Hudner fires a Tomahawk land attack missile in support of Operation Epic Fury, Sunday, while at sea.(U.S.Navy/via Getty Images)

“We needstrategic patience and determination, and in several weeks most of the job will be accomplished,” Michael added.“Even if the regime does not collapse, Iran will not be like we used to know.

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“I assume that theU.S.and Israelwill establish a very robust monitoring mechanism that will enable them to react whenever the regime tries to reconstitute its military capacities again.”