In a dramatic moment broadcast live, Iran’s state TV (IRIB) abruptly went off-air after an Israeli airstrike struck its building in Tehran’s District 3, cutting short a program in which the anchor was criticizing Israel.
Just seconds before the explosion, the presenter’s remarks were suddenly replaced by chaos as the studio shook and transmission went dark. Footage later surfaced showing the anchor fleeing the set as alarms blared.
Broadcasts resumed shortly after, with IRIB calling the strike a “brutal violation” and airing a ticker accusing Israel of trying to “silence the voice of truth.” The channel claimed live programming had returned without interruption.
Senior IRIB official Hassan Abedini stated,
“The voice of the Islamic revolution and the great Iran will not be silenced with a military operation.”
The strike came after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Iran’s “propaganda megaphone” was “about to disappear,” referencing Israeli operations targeting state media and key facilities across Iran.
This marks a dangerous escalation, following Israeli attacks on over 100 targets, including nuclear facilities, and Iran’s deadly retaliatory missile barrages.