Israel bombs Iran’s state TV headquarters during live broadcast

Tensions between Israel and Iran reached a dramatic new height on Monday, as an Israeli airstrike hit the headquarters of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) Iran’s state television station while a news bulletin was live on air.

The strike, which occurred during a live transmission, caused chaos in the studio as dust and debris engulfed the set. In a shocking scene captured on video, Sahar Emami, the on-air anchor, was seen fleeing for safety mid-broadcast.

The strike occurred shortly after the Israeli military issued a warning targeting Tehran’s district Three, where IRIB is based.

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Israel Katz, Israel’s defence minister, took immediate credit for the operation, describing IRIB as “the Iranian regime’s propaganda and incitement broadcasting authority”.

Katz vowed to “strike the Iranian dictator everywhere”.

He said the attack followed a “widespread evacuation of the area’s residents”, signalling a calculated military action.

During the live broadcast, Emami was seen hurriedly leaving the studio as smoke and debris obscured the screen.

Voices on set were heard saying “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest).

The transmission quickly switched to pre-recorded programmes before Emami returned from another studio, reporting that “bodies of reporters” were at the original site and showing images of smoke and flames.

The IRIB later confirmed that four bombs had hit the building.

Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson of Iran’s ministry of foreign affairs, condemned the strike as a “wicked act of war crime” and called on the international community to hold Israel accountable.

Baqaei accused Israel of being the world’s leading “killer of journalists and media people”, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by media workers in conflict zones.