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New York Times
5 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Israel Attacks Iran's State Television, Live On The Air
The Israeli military attacked the headquarters of Iran's state broadcaster in Tehran on Monday evening, the Israeli defense minister and Iranian media said. Videos and images from the scene showed the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting building on fire. A news anchor — a woman identified by Iranian state media as Sahar Emami — was speaking live on the air when an explosion shook the building, followed by the sound of breaking glass and screams, all carried live on television. The screen filled with smoke and debris as the anchor hurried off. Hassan Abedini, the deputy director of Iran's state broadcaster, said some employees were injured in the Israeli strike, without specifying a number. He said firefighters were trying to contain the fires at the building, which were sending a large column of black smoke into the air. The attack appeared to have struck only one of the buildings belonging to the state broadcaster, which has a number of other buildings in the area in central Tehran. Iran's state news agency, IRNA, confirmed the attack, saying that it took place as programs were being broadcast live. It said that programming was 'briefly halted' but 'returned to normal' after a few minutes. The Iranian state broadcaster has long been associated with the government's dominance of public life and the country's media. Iran is widely considered to be one of the most repressive states in terms of press freedom; journalists who cross government red lines can face severe consequences. Before the strike, Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, had said in a statement that 'the mouthpiece of Iranian propaganda and incitement is about to disappear.' The Israeli military later said in a statement that its air force had struck the building to target a 'communication center' that was being used by the Iranian military 'under the guise of civilian activity.' The claim could not be independently verified. Elham Abedini, another Iranian state television anchor, captured the wreckage in an Instagram livestream. Her video showed chaos as people ran and shouted amid debris. 'They are in the glass building, they are all there,' she can be heard telling a guard in uniform, referring to the channel's employees. The attack was preceded by an Israeli evacuation order for the densely-populated Tehran district where the state broadcaster lies. In that statement, the Israeli military said it planned to target 'military infrastructure' in the area 'in the coming hours.' By Daniel Wood In the wars in Gaza against Hamas, and in Lebanon against Hezbollah, Israel frequently used the tactic of telling civilians to either flee or face an impending Israeli attack, even on a specific building. The warnings often prompted panic and fear among people in the targeted zone.
Forbes
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Forbes
Iran's State TV Attacked By Israel During Live Broadcast
A broadcast of Iran's state-run television channel was interrupted on Monday when the Israeli military attacked the station, as Israeli officials claim the building was occupied 'under the guise of civilian activity' by Iran, which has controlled the news agency while suppressing press freedom in the country for decades. Smoke rises from the building of Iran's state-run television after an Israeli strike in Tehran. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Iran's state-run broadcaster, confirmed its headquarters in Tehran was attacked Monday, which 'briefly halted' live programming for the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network though it 'returned to normal' a few minutes later. Sahar Emami, a news anchor for IRINN, was speaking live on air around 11 a.m. EDT when an explosion shook the studio, causing the screen to fill with smoke, dust and debris as she quickly left the scene. The Israel Defense Forces said Monday a 'precise strike' targeted a 'communication center' used by Iran's military 'under the guise of civilian activity, covering up the military use of the center's infrastructure and assets.' Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz appeared to confirm the strike on IRIB, writing on X 'the Iranian regime's propaganda and broadcasting authority' was attacked by the IDF after Israel warned Tehran of planned strikes in the area. Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry, accused Israel of committing war crimes and claimed Israeli leadership is the 'biggest enemy of truth and the No. 1 killer of journalists.' Iran has been criticized by press freedom organizations for decades, including for efforts to arrest journalists and shutter news outlets under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, who has accused independent media outlets of opposing the Iranian government. Israel warned earlier Monday that planned strikes would target the 'Iranian regime's military infrastructure,' including a wave of attacks in central Tehran. Israel and Iran have traded strikes over the last four days, as Israel said 24 people have been killed in the country and more than 500 injured. The IRNA has claimed Israel 'launched attacks on civilians and various infrastructures,' including nuclear and military, while Iran's health ministry said at least 224 people have been killed since Friday.
Wall Street Journal
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Israel Bombs Iran State Media Buildings in Tehran
Israel struck buildings in Tehran belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, or IRIB, Iran's state-owned media company, with the blasts seemingly heard live on television hours after the Israeli military said residents and workers in that part of the capital should leave.
