Israel Bombs Iran TV on Live Broadcast
An Israeli airstrike hit Iran’s state television headquarters during a live broadcast on Sunday, June 15, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) studio in northern Tehran was struck while a morning program was airing live.
Viewers witnessed the moment the presenter, Sahar Emami, froze mid-sentence before the screen filled with dust and debris. The broadcast was abruptly cut, triggering panic and confusion across the country.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the IDF, the IRIB facility was being used to support Iranian military communications and propaganda. Iranian officials, however, maintain that it was a civilian media center and have condemned the bombing as a war crime.
The strike took place in northern Tehran on Sunday, June 15, during a morning live television program. It targeted the main headquarters of IRIB, Iran’s national broadcaster.
The IDF stated that the IRIB building was being used for “covert communication and psychological operations” as part of Iran’s broader war strategy. Israel has intensified its air campaign against what it describes as military and dual-use targets across Iran following missile and drone attacks launched by Iran earlier in the week.
According to Iranian state media, missiles struck the IRIB compound without prior warning. Emergency services responded quickly, evacuating injured staff and cordoning off the area. IRIB resumed limited broadcasts from an undisclosed backup location later in the day, airing patriotic messages and defiant rhetoric against Israel.
Although exact figures are still being confirmed, several injuries among IRIB staff were reported. Iran’s Health Ministry stated that the total death toll from the conflict has reached 224, with over 500 wounded.
Israel has reported at least 24 deaths on its side since the conflict began.
The bombing comes amid a broader military escalation that began when Iran launched coordinated drone and missile strikes on Israeli territory. Israel responded with widespread air raids across Iranian cities. The situation has raised fears of a wider regional conflict.
The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire and urged both nations to respect international humanitarian law, particularly regarding the protection of media and civilian infrastructure. Russia, Turkey, and the European Union have also called for restraint. Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement warning Iran against further escalation, saying, “The world is on the edge do not make it fall.”
