An Israeli airstrike reportedly struck the headquarters of Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB on Monday during a live transmission, briefly halting programming and causing on-air personnel to evacuate.
The building, home to Iran’s 24-hour news channel IRINN, was hit amid ongoing regional tensions. The broadcast was abruptly cut as explosions were heard, with studio staff fleeing the set. The anchor, identified as Sahar Emami, returned to live coverage shortly after the attack, resuming programming despite the damage.
BREAKING! Israel bombs #Iran’s state TV. pic.twitter.com/E8jjl9bk9p
— DOAM (@doamuslims) June 16, 2025
Footage from the scene and circulating before-and-after images show visible destruction to the state TV building. Reports suggest that parts of the broadcasting infrastructure were damaged, although transmission was quickly restored.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz addressed the strike, referring to Iran’s state media as a “propaganda mouthpiece” and suggesting its influence is “on the way to disappearing.”
Iranian officials have yet to release a formal statement on the incident or confirm casualties. The strike is the latest escalation in the ongoing shadow conflict between Israel and Iran, with media and communications infrastructure increasingly targeted.
This marks a significant moment in the information war between the two nations, as one of Iran’s primary state media channels was hit live on-air.
Israeli airstrikes have intensified in Tehran, targeting both military and civilian sites, including areas in eastern and western parts of the city. Civilian casualties have been reported, prompting Iranian authorities to issue an emergency evacuation order for District 3, a densely populated and government-centered area. Israel has also announced plans to strike Iran’s state television, labeling it as a source of propaganda.
Iran condemns these strikes as violations of sovereignty and warns of more serious retaliation. International calls for de-escalation are ongoing, with diplomatic mediation efforts led by Oman and Qatar. Residents in targeted areas are urged to evacuate and monitor official updates for safety.
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