Israel Strikes Iranian State Broadcaster in Tehran Studio During Live Broadcast
Israel has carried out an airstrike on Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, hitting its District Three headquarters in Tehran during a live news transmission—marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
Footage aired on IRIB showed anchor Sahar Emami mid-broadcast as an explosion rocked the studio, filling the screen with smoke and debris. Emami was later seen fleeing the set amid chaos and disarray.
The strike followed a warning from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who described the broadcaster as Tehran’s “propaganda mouthpiece” and vowed it would “disappear.” Israel’s military later confirmed responsibility, stating the station was part of Iran’s armed forces media apparatus.
Iran condemned the strike as a “war crime,” accusing Israel of targeting civilians and journalists. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the attack constituted aggression not just against a media building, but against “truth” itself.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also denounced the attack, warning that impunity for previous journalist casualties—178 in Gaza since October 2023—may have emboldened Israel to extend strikes to other countries’ media.
IRIB head Peyman Jebelli defended the staff who remained during the attack, saying they “stood until the very last moment” to expose Israel’s actions. Journalist Younes Shadlou, on the ground at the damaged site, expressed concern for colleagues who remained inside .
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera noted the strike’s symbolic weight: IRIB is directly appointed by Iran’s supreme leader and serves as both a media and political institution . Experts warn the strike risks intensifying fears within Iran and signaling a broader targeting of propaganda infrastructure.
Iran responded by ordering evacuation of Israeli news channels N12 and N14. The strike is part of the broader conflict that began with Israeli attacks on Iran’s military and nuclear facilities, met with Iranian missile response .
With input from Al Jazeera
