Israel targeted the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) building during a live broadcast – and according to Iranian media, several employees were killed in the attack
Israel has bombed an Iranian state television studio during a live broadcast as the conflict between the two countries, now in its fourth day, shows no signs of stopping.
The explosion occurred at the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) building in Tehran as the presenter addressed the ongoing tensions. According to Iranian media, several employees were killed in the attack. Currently, the exact death toll isn’t known. Footage from the live broadcast shows the reporter saying the studio was filling with dust after “the sound of aggression against the homeland, the sound of aggression against truth and righteousness.” Then, an explosion occurred, cutting out the screen behind her as she hurried off camera amid dust and debris wafting in the air.
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Someone off screen could be heard screaming “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest) after the blast. The broadcast quickly switched to pre-recorded programmes. Israel had issued a warning the evacuate the area of Iran’s capital where the TV studios are located an hour before the attack.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had also warned that Iran’s state television and radio, which he described as “propaganda and incitement megaphone”, were “about to disappear'”. While the live broadcast was briefly halted, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Iran state TV resumed coverage shortly after.
Following the attack, the political deputy of the TV channel said staff would continue their work. “Your children at IRIB will continue their mission,” the deputy said, according to Iran Wire.
Hassan Abedini, a senior official at the broadcasting service, said: “The Zionist regime, the enemy of the Iranian nation, minutes ago conducted a military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran news network. The regime [Israel] was unaware of the fact that the voice of the Islamic revolution and the great Iran will not be silenced with a military operation.”
On Monday, Israel said it planned to strike military sites in Tehran. The Israeli military has issued similar evacuation warnings for civilians in parts of Gaza and Lebanon ahead of strikes. The warning affected up to 330,000 people in a part of central Tehran, including the country’s state TV and police headquarters, as well as three large hospitals, including one owned by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
Among the sites targeted in a reported Israeli attack was Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah, west Iran. After the strike, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei hit out at Israel, saying it had committed a “war crime.”
According to Iranian media, parts of the hospital were damaged following a reported Israeli strike – with images showing blood-splattered floors and debris around the facility. Mr Baqaei wrote on X, “Attacking hospitals and residential areas, reportedly directed by their Defence Minister, is a grave violation of int’t law and war crime. History will judge; eternal shame awaits the regime’s backers & apologists.”
The conflict began with last Friday’s surprise Israeli attack on Iran. At least 224 people have been killed by Israel in Iran, according to the Middle East Eye. Among those killed were top Iranian military officials, scientists and civilians. Iran responded to Israel’s attacks by issuing retaliatory strikes, with its ballistic missile attacks on Israel killing at least 24 people across the country.