WAR! ON THE MEDIA
Israeli forces targeted Iran's state broadcasting headquarters on June 16, with explosions occurring during a live television transmission that forced presenters to evacuate.
The attack struck the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting building, destroying the news network's studio whilst programmes were being aired, according to Iranian reports.
News presenter Sahar Emami continued broadcasting immediately after the strike, stating that national media transmission would continue with full strength despite the attack.
"What we witnessed moments ago in the news building is a clear and obvious example of the fight against freedom of expression," Emami said during the broadcast.
IRIB's public relations department advised viewers to follow programmes through Telewebion if they experienced signal disruptions from provincial or national networks.
Several employees were reportedly killed in the attack on the broadcasting facility, though casualty numbers could not be independently verified.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had previously warned that Iran's state television and radio, which he described as the "propaganda and incitement megaphone," were targets for elimination.
The strike represents a direct attack on Iran's primary state media infrastructure and its ability to communicate with the domestic population.
Iran's state broadcaster serves as the government's main communication channel with citizens and the international community.
The attack occurred as tensions between the two countries reached new heights following reciprocal military strikes over recent days.
Broadcasting continued from alternative facilities as Iranian authorities worked to restore full transmission capabilities across the country.
The targeting of media infrastructure marks an escalation in the scope of military operations between Iran and Israel.
Iranian officials described the attack as an assault on press freedom and civilian media facilities.
Israel strikes Iran's 'propaganda' state TV station taking broadcast off the air
Copyright Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
By Sertac Aktan with AP
Published on 16/06/2025 -
Israel's Defence Minister confirmed the attack, which followed an Israeli evacuation warning. An anchor reported 'bodies of reporters' at the site.
An Iranian state television reporter had to stop a live broadcast on Monday when an explosion occurred an hour after Israel issued a warning to evacuate the area of Tehran where the TV studios are located.
Smoke was seen rising from at least three sites in the Iranian capital.
The reporter for the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network said the studio was filling with dust after "the sound of aggression against the homeland, the sound of aggression against truth and righteousness."
Anchor Sahar Emami rushed off-camera as the screen behind her cut out and people were heard saying "Allahu akbar," Arabic for God is great.
The broadcast quickly switched to pre-recorded programmes. Later, state TV aired live video of the building on fire.
Soon, Emami came back live from another studio and was seen speaking with another anchor. She said that "bodies of reporters" were at the site of the initial broadcast, and images showed smoke and flames in the sky.
Israel's defence minister Israel Katz took credit for the attack as he called it a strike on the "propaganda broadcast authority."
"The Iranian regime's propaganda and incitement broadcasting authority was attacked by the IDF after a widespread evacuation of the area’s residents. We will strike the Iranian dictator everywhere," he said in a statement.
An hour earlier, the Israeli military had issued an evacuation warning affecting up to 330,000 people in a part of central Tehran that includes the country's state TV and police headquarters, as well as three major hospitals.
In response to the attack, Iran also issued evacuation warnings for Israeli news channels, Iranian state TV reported.
The attack came on the fourth day of the escalating conflict, as the IDF claimed it had achieved air superiority above the Iranian capital and could fly over the city without facing major threats.
No comments:
Post a Comment