Jerusalem [Israel], March 4 (ANI/TPS): Israel struck a building in the Iranian city of Qom where senior clerics had gathered to appoint a successor to supreme leader Ayataollah Ali Khameini, an Israeli security official said.

Khamenei, who led Iran since 1989, was assassinated on Saturday, prompting the rare convening of the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body constitutionally tasked with selecting the country's supreme leader.

Also Read | Middle East Conflict: Tens of Thousands of People Stranded in Gulf Region As Iran War Complicates Routes Home.

The council has not met since 1989 when it appointed Khameini.

According to the Israeli security official, it was not immediately clear exactly how many of the assembly's 88 members were inside the building during the strike.

Also Read | Middle East Conflict: US Embassies Instruct Americans To Leave Middle East Immediately As Tensions Escalate Across West Asia Region.

Iran's state news agency claimed that the building hit was an unused, dilapidated building and not a meeting venue.

At the same time, Israel's Mossad intelligence service tweeted a message in Persian declaring that regardless of who is tapped to succeed Khameini, "his fate has already been decided," adding that only the Iranian people will ultimately determine their future leadership.

The tweet included an image of dominoes featuring images and names of prominent clerics thought to be potential successors.

https://x.com/MossadSpokesman/status/2028819069105774958

The Israeli military also announced parallel strikes in Tehran and Isfahan aimed at ballistic missile production and launch infrastructure. (ANI/TPS)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)