16.06.2025 21:56

An attack on Iran's state-run television headquarters in Tehran disrupted a live broadcast on Monday. The incident, which Israeli officials claim targeted a military communication center disguised as a civilian facility, briefly interrupted programming on the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN). Smoke and debris filled the studio, forcing news anchor Sahar Emami to evacuate mid-broadcast.


The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) described the action as a "precise strike," targeting infrastructure allegedly used by the Iranian military under the guise of civilian activity. This assertion, which was seemingly confirmed by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on X (formerly Twitter), highlights Israel's accusation that Iran was masking its military use of the facility. Katz's statement characterized the target as the Iranian regime's propaganda and broadcasting authority.


Iran vehemently condemned the attack. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei accused Israel of war crimes and branded Israeli leadership as the "biggest enemy of truth and the No. 1 killer of journalists," reflecting the ongoing tensions between the two nations. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting confirmed the attack, noting that the interruption was short-lived, with broadcasts resuming within minutes.


This incident underscores Iran's long history of suppressing press freedom, a concern consistently raised by international press freedom organizations. Under the leadership of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian government has actively curtailed independent media, arresting journalists and closing news outlets critical of its policies. Prior to the attack, Israel had issued a warning about planned strikes in the area. The attack itself further escalates regional tensions and raises questions about the international implications of such actions.