Ruptly & RT offices in Tehran evacuated over IDF strikes
The shared offices of RT's Tehran bureau and a Ruptly video agency branch have been evacuated due to intensifying IDF strikes on the Islamic Republic's capital. Israel has also confirmed targeting an Iranian state broadcaster.
Ruptly's Tehran bureau chief says staff fled after Iranian authorities warned of an imminent Israeli strike on their location, according to the agency's Telegram post. All of the employees were able to safely leave the dangerous area, the office head, Hami Hamedi, confirmed.
RT's Iranian bureau was also 'forced to evacuate to a safer location' because of the intensifying Israeli strikes, its producer, Ali Razmkhah, confirmed.
On Friday, Israeli jets bombed multiple targets across Iran, including a uranium enrichment center in Natanz, and carried out targeted assassinations of several senior military commanders and scientists. Iran retaliated by firing dozens of ballistic missiles into Israel, and the sides have been exchanging hostilities since.
The Jerusalem Post reported earlier on Monday that the IDF had targeted an Iranian state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN), during a live broadcast. The media outlet also published a video showing an Iranian anchor who was forced to interrupt her work when the broadcaster's office was apparently hit in a strike.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that what he called the 'Iranian propaganda and incitement mouthpiece' was 'on its way to disappearing.'
On Monday, an Iranian government spokeswoman, Fatemeh Mohajerani, stated that at least 45 women and children had been killed in the Israeli strikes and 75 were injured. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused West Jerusalem of targeting hospitals and residential areas and called it 'a grave violation of international law and a war crime' in a post on X.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
4 hours ago
- Russia Today
Trump warns ‘everyone' to flee Tehran
US President Donald Trump has issued a cryptic warning on Truth Social, urging 'everyone' to leave the Iranian capital as soon as possible, without confirming whether Washington will intervene in the ongoing tit-for-tat hostilities between Israel and Iran. The two states have been exchanging strikes since West Jerusalem bombed Iranian nuclear and military facilities last Friday, describing the move as a preemptive effort to halt Tehran's alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons. Israel has also targeted civilian areas, causing casualties, and struck Iran's state broadcaster on Monday. Iran, which denies seeking a military nuclear capability, said the airstrikes amounted to a declaration of war and retaliated with multiple volleys of ballistic missiles aimed at Israel. 'Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign. Such a shame and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CANNOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!' Trump wrote on Monday evening, as the conflict entered its fifth day. 'Everyone needs to evacuate Tehran immediately!' the US leader added, without elaborating on where the city's roughly 10 million residents should go. Trump earlier insisted that the US 'had nothing to do with the attack on Iran' but warned Tehran of retaliation 'at levels never seen before' if it targets American assets in the region. He declined to clarify what might trigger US military involvement, telling reporters on Monday: 'I don't want to talk about that.' Earlier in the day, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the deployment of additional 'defensive capabilities' to the Middle East, without disclosing which military assets were sent over the weekend. 'Protecting US forces is our top priority, and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region,' Hegseth posted on X. According to Military Watch Magazine, the US has reportedly sent more than 30 aerial refueling tankers across the Atlantic toward the Middle East. The outlet described the buildup as 'unprecedented,' suggesting it could signal broader US involvement in the Israeli-Iranian conflict. Israel has reportedly asked the US to participate directly in strikes on Iran. The Israeli Air Force lacks the bunker-buster bombs required to destroy Iran's heavily fortified underground nuclear sites, but Washington could supply them, Axios reported Saturday, citing Israeli officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to rule out an attempt to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, telling ABC News on Monday: 'It's going to end the conflict.' Tehran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear program is peaceful and has accused Israel of undermining diplomatic efforts with the US. 'Iran did NOT begin this war and has no interest in perpetuating bloodshed. But we will proudly fight to the last drop of blood to protect our land,' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X on Monday. He warned that 'getting the US mired in the Mother of Forever Wars' would destroy any chance of a diplomatic solution.
Russia Today
6 hours ago
- Russia Today
Israel wants to annihilate Iranian nuclear facilities before talks
Israel wants to entirely dismantle both Iran's nuclear program and destroy its ability to resume it in the future, Israeli Ambassador to Moscow Simona Halperin has told RT. West Jerusalem will only consider talks after this main goal is secured, she said. 'Israel is attacking the objects and individuals that lead the Iranian nuclear program, that lead the program to destroy Israel, as well as all those who would pose a military threat to Israel,' Halperin told the press at a briefing in the Israeli Embassy on Monday. When asked by RT about Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to mediate talks between West Jerusalem and Tehran, the diplomat stressed that the Jewish state's current primary concern is the destruction of the Iranian nuclear program. 'Israel's number one priority' is to wipe out Iran's 'desire, ability and intention' to continue pursuing its nuclear program, Halperin told RT. It's premature to consider negotiations right now, she added. 'I think it's way too early to think about 'who, when, and how',' the diplomat said. 'I think it is very important to address the critical issues, ability and intent,' she said, referring to the goals of the Israeli bombing campaign. 'After we resolve these issues, we will see how we can proceed,' Halperin said. When asked whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called for Iranians to topple their government, was setting a coup as one of the goals of the military operation, the diplomat said 'no.' 'This is not one of Israel's objectives in the operation,' she told RT. 'Only the Iranian people will decide for themselves what they want and how they're ruled.' Iran has condemned the Israeli attack as entirely unprovoked, and accused the Jewish state of 'scuttling' its Oman-brokered nuclear talks with the US. Tehran has no interest in bloodshed, and did not begin the hostilities, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday. Despite this, Iran would fight 'to the last drop of blood' to defend its 'land, people, dignity and achievements,' he warned. Tehran has repeatedly insisted that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.
Russia Today
7 hours ago
- Russia Today
Israel accuses France of anti-Semitism over covered display at arms expo
Israel has blasted France for blocking several of its weapons manufacturers from displaying their products at the Paris Air Show, calling the move anti-Semitic, discriminatory and politically driven. According to media reports, French officials ordered black partitions to be placed around several Israeli weapons exhibits on Monday, saying the companies had violated an agreement not to showcase 'offensive weapons,' including those used in Gaza. Acting on government instructions, organizers at the Paris Air Show covered the stands of Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Elbit Systems, UVision, and Aeronautics. A French government source told media the firms had gone back on an earlier deal restricting such displays. Among the hidden items were reportedly air-to-surface munitions, drone mock-ups by Elbit and Bluebird Aero Systems. Three smaller Israeli stands without visible hardware, along with an Israeli Ministry of Defense booth, remained open. The French Foreign Ministry defended the move, saying its position had been 'clear and consistent.' While supporting Israel's defense – including contributing to the Iron Dome – Paris said it 'cannot accept the promotion of such [offensive] weapons on our national soil.' The Israeli Defense Ministry denounced the decision as 'bluntly anti-Semitic,' accusing France of trying to block competition from Israeli firms. 'The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition – weapons that compete with French industries,' the ministry claimed. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also condemned the move, calling it 'outrageous' and urging that it be 'immediately corrected.' Speaking on French television channel LCI, he said: 'It's like creating an Israeli ghetto.' The show's organizer said it was working to help 'find a favorable outcome.' The week-long expo at Le Bourget reportedly features over 2,400 companies from 48 countries. The dispute comes as Israel's missile exchanges with Iran continue for a fourth day and global concern over its operations in Gaza grows. On Friday, Israel launched strikes on sites it said were linked to Iran's nuclear program, killing several senior military officials. Tehran claims 224 people have been killed in the attacks since then, and that 'over 90%' were civilians. At least 21 Israelis have died in Iranian retaliatory strikes.
