Members of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s deliberative body were hit with an airstrike as they convened to decide who would lead the bombarded country. The Israeli Air Force struck the Assembly of Experts building in the city of Qom on Tuesday,

Iranian news agencies reported that the building was "flattened" during the Israeli strikes. The IDF targeted a building in which Tehran's 88-member Assembly of Experts was meeting to choose Iran's

The Assembly of Experts is an 88-member body of senior Islamic jurists elected to appoint, supervise, and, if necessary, dismiss Iran’s Supreme Leader under the constitution.

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been appointed Iran’s new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts under reported IRGC pressure. His rise marks a controversial dynastic succession in a system that has long rejected hereditary rule.

It's still unclear how many members of the Assembly of Experts were present for the vote when the building was hit.

Mojtaba Khamenei is emerging as the leading candidate to replace his father as Iran's Supreme Leader, with the Assembly of Experts reportedly close to an announcement, though facing internal reservati

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly been elected as the country’s new Supreme Leader.

Many experts have reportedly taken issue with “hereditary leadership." Mojtaba Khamenei has also formed close political alliances with Ahmad Vahidi, the newly appointed IRGC commander.

The West Asia conflict expanded to include Iran-backed militias on Monday with an attack by Hezbollah on Israel. Israel struck back against the group in Lebanon while the United States pounded targets in Iran.