Report: Council of 88 clerics choosing new supreme leader weren’t present in IDF strike, only those counting vote

By Stav Levaton

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3 March 2026, 8:43 pm

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Stav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel

Footage of the Israeli strike on a building in the Iranian city of Qom where a body was set to choose Iran's new supreme leader on March 3, 2026. (Screenshot: X; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

The full 88-member clerical body responsible for appointing Iran’s next supreme leader was not present when Israel struck the country’s Assembly of Experts building earlier today, Channel 12 reports, without citing sources.

The strike took place in Qom, south of Tehran. The report says each member had voted separately, and only a limited group of people responsible for counting the vote were present in the building when it was hit.

The clarification comes after Iranian media reported that the “American-Zionist criminals” attacked the Assembly of Experts building. Footage aired by local outlets showed significant damage to the structure.