Israel Threatens to Assassinate Iran's Assembly of Experts If They Meet to Choose Khamenei's Successor

Israel's military publicly warned it would target members of Iran's Assembly of Experts if they convene in Qom to choose a successor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

“As Iran races against time to choose the new Supreme Leader of the republic, Israel continues to warn that it will target whoever is appointed and those who seek to appoint him, in a new escalation that adds further uncertainty to the Iranian scene in general and to the question of leadership in Iran”

Al-Jazeera Net

Anadolu Ajansı reported Israeli military spokesperson Ella Waweya posted on X that Israel would 'target members of Iran's Assembly of Experts' if they met in Qom and that Israel 'would pursue anyone involved in appointing a new leader'.

Al-Jazeera Net

Türkiye Today relayed the same Farsi X message, quoting the army telling assembly members 'We will not hesitate to target you as well. Consider yourselves warned'.

Reuters summarized the statement as a pledge to 'pursue every person' involved in efforts to appoint a successor, and described it as an unprecedented and escalatory threat.

The warning comes against a backdrop of intensified U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and reciprocal Iranian attacks.

Anadolu Ajansı reported the Israeli statement described Khamenei as having been "eliminated" in a recent U.S.-Israeli strike.

Anadolu Ajansı

It said more than 1,200 people, including Khamenei and senior military figures, have been killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran since Feb. 28.

Anadolu Ajansı also noted Iran launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes against Israel and Gulf sites hosting U.S. forces.

Türkiye Today likewise ties the threat to the U.S.-Israeli strike that killed Khamenei and frames the Assembly session as occurring amid that escalation.

Reuters cited the warning as part of a series of exchanges and heightened security measures across the region.

Inside Iran, the succession process appears contested and complex.

“Iranian media reported that a decision-making group had a minor disagreement over procedure — specifically whether their final ruling required an in-person meeting or could be issued without that formality”

Arab News

Al Jazeera reported deep divisions over procedure, with one camp pushing for a full, in-person vote by the Assembly of Experts and another advocating a remote, Secretariat-run poll that critics call illegal and unconstitutional.

Al Jazeera said powerful institutions beyond the Assembly — the IRGC, army, police, political elite and senior religious authorities in Qom — are influencing the decision.

Al Jazeera described a temporary leadership council chaired by President Masoud Pezhikian, the judiciary head, and a jurist from the Assembly.

Al Jazeera noted that Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son, is reported to top the candidate list.

Anadolu Ajansı added historical context that the Assembly last oversaw a transition in 1989 when it chose Khamenei, underscoring the institutional weight of the body now under direct threat.

Analysts and outlets warn the Israeli threat risks further destabilising an already volatile region by directly tying potential assassination plans to a constitutionally authorized clerical body.

Reuters framed Israel’s message as evidence of readiness to target “individuals or networks” linked to succession planning, while Anadolu quoted the military’s explicit vow to “pursue anyone involved in appointing a new leader.”

marketscreener

Türkiye Today characterised the warning as “unprecedented,” highlighting its direct address to assembly members in Qom and the possible legal and political ramifications of targeting a religious, constitutionally mandated institution.

Sources diverge on how imminent a convening of the Assembly is and on the degree of consensus around a successor.

“Reuters (March 8, 2026): The Israeli military warned it will "pursue every person" involved in efforts to appoint a successor to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei”

marketscreener

Türkiye Today cites Iranian state media and an Assembly member saying a majority consensus on Khamenei's replacement has "more or less been reached."

Moneycontrol

Al Jazeera emphasises deep procedural divisions and suggests some potential nominees could refuse the post if not properly consulted.

Marketscreener and Anadolu note heightened security measures and exchanges of attacks in the region that complicate any meeting in Qom, leaving the timing and safety of an Assembly session unclear and the situation highly unpredictable.