Israel strikes Iranian state broadcaster headquarters... Explosion broadcast live during program

JH Kim

Summary

It was reported that Israel conducted an airstrike on the media complex housing Iran's state broadcaster IRINN.
The building houses several radio and TV channels, and reports indicate its exterior was damaged and caught fire.
Israel had previously issued evacuation orders to residents in the Tehran area, and the Defense Minister indicated the attack targeted Iran's propaganda apparatus.

On the 16th (local time), CNN reported that Israel carried out an airstrike on the building housing Iran's state broadcaster IRINN's studio.

At the time, news anchor Sahar Emami was hosting a live broadcast when a loud explosion was heard on air and debris was seen falling. The broadcast later resumed from another studio.

According to footage released by Iran's state TV, the glass-clad building in Tehran's District 3, where IRINN is based, had its exterior damaged and was engulfed in flames. The building is a media complex accommodating several radio and TV channels.

IRINN is a core channel under the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), appointed directly by Iran's Supreme Leader, and is a major tool for the regime's propaganda. Staff are hired through thorough background checks.

Prior to this, Israel had issued evacuation orders for residents in the Tehran area where IRINN is located, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had warned, "Iran's propaganda and incitement apparatus will soon disappear." This remark is interpreted as a foreshadowing of the current attack.