Israeli Strike Hits Iranian State TV Headquarters

Israeli airstrikes have targeted the headquarters of Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, in Tehran. The attack disrupted live broadcasts temporarily, though transmissions resumed shortly afterward.In footage of the incident, the studio is seen shaking during a live broadcast. The screen fills with dust and smoke. At one point, voices behind the scenes are heard shouting “Allahu Akbar.” A person is seen running out with a bloodied hand.According to Iran’s state-run Fars News and Al Jazeera, just moments before the blast, anchor Sahar Emami had said, “What you’re hearing is the sound of aggression. It is an attack on the truth.” Seconds later, the explosion occurred, and Sahar Emami fled the studio. She is considered one of the country’s most recognizable news anchors.On Monday afternoon, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed responsibility for the strike via a social media post, stating, “The center of Iranian propaganda and incitement is being destroyed.”The area around the headquarters had been preemptively cleared, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). They claimed the target was part of Iran’s military infrastructure.Despite the damage, IRIB resumed broadcasting shortly after. Senior IRIB official Hassan Abedini responded, “The imperialist enemy does not realize that the voice of the Islamic Revolution and great Iran cannot be silenced by military attacks.”