An Iranian state TV presenter was forced to flee the studio after Israel bombed it live on air.
The headquarters of the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) was hit by a missile while the presenter was in the middle of a live broadcast.
She was forced to run off camera as a massive explosion could be heard in the background and debris began to fall from the ceiling.
Highlights
- An Iranian state TV anchor fled live on air after an Israeli missile struck the IRIB headquarters during her broadcast.
- Israel Defense Forces claimed the IRIB building was used for military purposes and gave advance civilian evacuation warnings.
- Two Iranian journalists were killed in the strike; the International Federation of Journalists condemned the attack as a war crime.
- The strike occurred amid Operation Rising Lion, Israel's campaign to roll back Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
An Iranian state TV presenter had to run for her life when the strike hit on live TV
Smoke was seen billowing into the studio as frantic shouts could be heard.
It is understood the anchor was criticizing Israel when the missile hit, calling it the "voice of the invader of the homeland" and "the invader of truth and justice,” TMZ reports.
The incident came shortly after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued an evacuation warning for the part of Tehran where state broadcaster IRIB is located.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz had also said that "the Iranian propaganda and incitement mouthpiece is about to disappear” after the notice was issued.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB struck by Israeli strikes in Tehran. Insane visual caught live.
The IDF claimed the IRIB headquarters was being used by the military.
“The Israeli Air Force conducted a precise strike based on intelligence targeting a communication center that was being used for military purposes by the Iranian Armed Forces,” an IDF statement read.
“The building was used by the Iranian Armed Forces under the guise of civilian activity, covering up the military use of the center's infrastructure and assets.
“Prior to the strike, the IDF provided an effective advanced warning to the civilian population, including phone calls, to mitigate harm to civilians as far as feasible.”
According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), two Iranian journalists were killed in the strike.
The IFJ has named them as Nima Rajabpour, editor-in-chief of Iran's State TV news channel Khabar, and Masoumeh Azimi, secretary at the IRIB.
Local media reported that dozens more were injured in the strike.
“We strongly condemn the targeted attack on Iran’s State broadcaster and mourn the loss of our two colleagues,” IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said.
“The IFJ reminds all parties that, under international law, journalists are civilians, and deliberate attacks against them constitute war crimes."
Israel launched a military operation targeting Iran last week
Image credits: Stringer/Getty Images
“We once again urge warring parties to refrain from targeting media facilities. Claiming that a media outlet’s editorial line is hostile to your cause does not justify an attack.
“Those responsible for crimes against journalists must be brought before international criminal courts.”
The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baqaei, also condemned the strike in a social media post.
“The world is watching: targeting Iran's news agency #IRIB's office during live broadcast is a wicked act of war crime,” he wrote.
Image credits: Majid Saeedi/Getty Images
This comes after Israel launched Operation Rising Lion last week, which, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is to “roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.”
Netanyahu said the operation was in response to how close Iran was to producing nuclear weapons.
Iran’s health ministry says at least 224 people have been killed and over 1,200 wounded since the countries began trading missiles last week.
The office of Israel’s prime minister says at least 24 people have been killed and over 500 injured.
Image credits: Majid Saeedi/Getty Images
Netanyahu said the first barrage of 100 drones on Friday struck “at the heart” of Iran’s nuclear enrichment and weaponization programs.
It also targeted leading nuclear scientists and the country’s ballistic missile program, he said.
Iran has, so far, fired around 370 ballistic missiles at Israel in response, according to the IDF.
The IDF has targeted several Iranian military chiefs, today confirming Ali Shadmani, the country’s most senior military official, had been killed.
It comes just days after his predecessor Gholam Ali Rashid, head of the IRGC's Khatam al Anbia headquarters, was “eliminated.”
World leaders have urged both sides to de-escalate
Image credits: Stringer/Getty Images
Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the armed forces, and Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were also killed Friday.
World leaders have repeatedly urged both sides to de-escalate and U.S. President Donald Trump left the G7 summit early due to the situation in the Middle East.
“Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X.