Israel bombed the headquarters of Iran’s state broadcaster on Monday, June 16, in a strike that aired on live television. An anchor at Iran’s IRIB network fled a studio as debris fell from the ceiling.
The number of casualties from the attack — the latest escalation of air strikes between Israel and Iran over the past four days — was unknown. However, IRIB said “a number” of its staff members were injured. According to news reports, an IRIB reporter covered the bombing from outside the burning building, blood visible on his hands and arms.
According to The Times of Israel, the IRIB broadcast showed debris and smoke before going dark. In the background, the newspaper said, a voice could be heard saying, “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is most great.”
Iran: Voice ‘will not be silenced’
IRIB, or the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, resumed live coverage minutes after the strike, according to the Israeli newspaper. Hasan Abedini, a senior official at the network, was quoted as saying, “The Zionist regime, the enemy of the Iranian nation, minutes ago conducted a military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran news network.”
Israel, he added, “was unaware of the fact that the voice of the Islamic revolution and the great Iran will not be silenced with a military operation.”
Israel: Attack struck ‘propaganda’ site
The Israel Defense Forces stated that it had warned residents in the area around the broadcasting facility to evacuate.
“The Iranian propaganda and incitement mouthpiece is on its way to disappear,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.
In a separate statement, the IDF said it had struck a communication center that was used “for military purposes.” The statement also said that the headquarters was being used “under the guise of civilian activity” and the bombing “directly harmed the military capabilities of the Iranian Armed Forces.”
“Prior to the strike, the IDF provided an effective advanced warning to the population, including phone calls and conducted the strike in a precise manner in order to mitigate harm to civilians as far as feasible,” the statement said.
Broader conflict
The bombing comes as Israel and Iran have entered the fourth day of a conflict that has seen strikes on nuclear facilities and Iranian missiles launched toward Tel Aviv, hitting residential buildings and an oil refinery.
Israel launched an attack during the week of June 8 that saw dozens of people killed in Iran and hundreds more injured. Iran retaliated with a large-scale barrage of missiles that killed several Israelis and injured multiple people.
