A defense analyst has claimed senior Iranian clerics would have been left “exposed” after an Israeli airstrike hit a venue where they were set to meet Tuesday—days following a strike that flattened the Tehran compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah .
According to , the clerics—members of the Assembly of Experts—had reportedly planned to gather at the Qom location to deliberate on Khamenei, who died in the strikes.
“This second strike would be another embarrassment for what’s left of the regime,” , a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute, told Digital.
“It signals and superiority because any movement is tracked, meaning they’d feel exposed,” Michael added.
“Right now, the leadership would feel insecure and hunted, with all their plans falling apart one after another.”
“They’d feel totally isolated and understand the biggest risk might come from home—from a potential uprising next,” he continued.
The Times of Israel reported that Israel Defense Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin confirmed the struck the building where senior clerics had planned to assemble.
An Israeli defense source cited by the outlet said it remains unclear how many of the 88 members were present at the time of the strike. The second strike on Iran’s leadership comes amid a .
As previously reported by Digital, U.S. forces have across Iran in the first 72 hours of Operation Epic Fury, per a U.S. Central Command fact sheet.
The campaign is aimed at and neutralizing what officials call imminent threats.
According to U.S. Central Command, targets have included , the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Joint Headquarters, the IRGC Aerospace Forces headquarters, integrated air defense systems, and ballistic missile sites.
“We need , and in several weeks most of the job will be done,” Michael added. “Even if the regime doesn’t collapse, Iran won’t be what we used to know.
“I assume the will set up a very robust monitoring system that lets them react whenever the regime tries to rebuild its military capacities again.”