In brief
On June 16, 2025, the Israeli military struck the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting headquarters in Tehran while live programming was in session. Videos showed the aftermath, including injured staff and significant smoke rising from the scene. Israeli officials defended the attack as a aimed at disrupting Iranian military communications.
The Israeli military launched an attack on the headquarters of Iran’s state broadcaster in Tehran on the evening of June 16, 2025, an incident confirmed by both Iranian media and Israeli defense officials. The offensive occurred during a live news broadcast featuring anchor Sahar Emami, who was abruptly forced to leave her set as an explosion rocked the building, accompanied by breaking glass and panicked cries from staff. Video footage recorded during the live transmission depicted the chaotic moments following the strike, with smoke and debris engulfing the studio. The facilities situated in Tehran’s central area and operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) caught fire, with reports indicating injuries among employees; however, specific numbers have not been disclosed. Firefighters were deployed to manage the blazes, which produced a visible column of thick black smoke.Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, affirmed that the attack halted programming temporarily but insisted operations resumed shortly after. The state broadcaster, a significant platform for government narratives, has faced scrutiny for its lack of press freedom, where dissent against the government can lead to harsh penalties.Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, commented prior to the airstrike, suggesting that the attack aimed at dismantling what he termed "the mouthpiece of Iranian propaganda.” In its defense, the Israeli military later clarified that their operation intended to disrupt a “communication center” allegedly employed by the Iranian military while masquerading as a civilian entity; independent verification of these claims remains pending.The aftermath of the strike was captured by another state television anchor, Elham Abedini, during an Instagram livestream. She documented the scene of tumult and confusion as individuals fled amidst the wreckage. The Israeli military had issued evacuation instructions for areas surrounding the Iranian state broadcaster’s location before launching the strike, signaling intentions to target military installations in the vicinity imminently.In a broader context of ongoing conflict, Israel has utilized a strategy of warning civilians of impending strikes, a tactic evidently parallel to its previous military campaigns in Gaza against Hamas and in Lebanon against Hezbollah. This approach has historically incited panic among civilian populations residing in affected zones.
