Video: Israel’s Airstrike Silences Iran’s Live TV Broadcast

Written by Timothy Bennett.

On June 16, 2025, Israeli warplanes executed a precision strike on Iran’s state television headquarters in Tehran, disrupting a live broadcast and escalating the ongoing conflict. This audacious attack, part of Israel’s broader military campaign, underscores the strategic targeting of Iran’s media infrastructure and raises critical questions about the intersection of warfare, propaganda, and international relations.

Strike on Iran’s State Media

During a live news bulletin on the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) network, an Israeli airstrike targeted the station’s headquarters, causing a massive explosion that interrupted the broadcast. The anchor, delivering a critique of Israel’s military actions, was forced to flee as smoke and debris filled the studio. Footage of the incident, widely shared online, captured the moment the screen shattered behind the presenter, with the channel abruptly switching to prerecorded content. Iranian media reported that the attack occurred shortly after the studio began filling with dust, following what the presenter described as “the sound of aggression against the homeland.”

The strike was preceded by an Israeli warning to evacuate the Jam-e Jam district of Tehran, where IRIB’s facilities are located. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) justified the attack as a necessary measure to neutralize what Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called a “propaganda and incitement mouthpiece” supporting Iran’s regime. The operation, part of Israel’s Operation Rising Lion launched on June 13, 2025, has targeted a range of Iranian assets, including nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, and now media hubs accused of disseminating war propaganda. For professionals in media and international affairs, this attack highlights the evolving role of information warfare in modern conflicts, where media outlets can become strategic targets.

The IRIB, established in 1966, serves as Iran’s primary state-controlled media outlet, broadcasting news, cultural programs, and government messaging to millions domestically and internationally. With 47 TV channels and 38 radio stations, it plays a central role in shaping public opinion and countering external narratives. The strike, which killed at least 12 IRIB staff and injured 35 others, has drawn condemnation from Iranian officials, who described it as an assault on free speech and civilian infrastructure. However, Israel’s military argues that IRIB’s broadcasts have been used to incite violence and coordinate retaliatory attacks, justifying its designation as a legitimate target.

Operation Rising Lion and Air Superiority

Israel’s ability to strike deep within Tehran reflects its achievement of air superiority, a critical milestone in Operation Rising Lion. By neutralizing Iran’s air defense systems, including Russian-supplied S-300 missile batteries, the IDF has gained unfettered access to Iranian airspace. This has enabled precise attacks on high-value targets, such as the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, the Shahroud missile test site, and now the IRIB headquarters. The campaign, involving over 1,500 sorties and the deployment of U.S.-supplied precision munitions like GBU-31 JDAM bombs, has inflicted significant damage, with Iranian reports estimating 412 deaths and 2,100 injuries since June 13.

The targeting of media infrastructure marks a new phase in Israel’s strategy, aimed at disrupting Iran’s ability to rally domestic support and project power regionally. The IRIB strike followed attacks on Iran’s telecommunications networks and internet infrastructure, which have limited the regime’s capacity to communicate with its citizens. For business leaders and security analysts, these developments signal potential disruptions to Iran’s economy, particularly its oil exports, which account for 10% of global supply. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for oil tankers, remains at risk of closure if Iran escalates its retaliation, potentially driving Brent crude prices above $100 per barrel.

Iran has responded with over 400 ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel, with some breaching the Iron Dome system and causing 22 deaths and 510 injuries in cities like Haifa and Jerusalem. The IDF’s success in maintaining air dominance, supported by U.S. intelligence and missile defense systems like THAAD, has limited the effectiveness of Iran’s counterattacks. However, the targeting of civilian infrastructure, such as the IRIB, raises legal and ethical questions under international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on civilian objects unless they contribute directly to military efforts.

International Reactions and U.S. Involvement

The international community has responded with a mix of support and concern. The United States, while not directly participating in the strikes, has provided critical support to Israel, including real-time intelligence and assistance in intercepting Iranian missiles. Since February 2025, the U.S. has supplied Israel with $7.4 billion in military aid, including Hellfire missiles used in the IRIB strike. President Donald Trump, speaking at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, on June 16, emphasized that the U.S. would continue to back Israel’s defense but urged Iran to negotiate a cessation of hostilities. European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, citing Iran’s missile attacks as a provocation.

Conversely, nations like China and Russia have condemned the strikes, with Beijing calling for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further destabilization. The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session on June 15, but disagreements among permanent members stalled any resolution. For policymakers and corporate executives, the polarized global response underscores the risk of a broader conflict involving Iran’s allies, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or the Houthis in Yemen, which could disrupt trade routes and energy markets. The precedent of the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia’s RTS television station, which killed 16 journalists and was later deemed a war crime by Amnesty International, offers a cautionary example of the controversies surrounding media strikes.

The U.S.’s role as Israel’s primary backer places it in a delicate position. While Trump has signaled openness to talks with Iran, the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Persian Gulf and 4,000 additional troops to the region indicate preparations for potential escalation. Iran’s leadership, facing internal pressure from economic sanctions and public unrest, has signaled a willingness to negotiate through Omani intermediaries, but only if the U.S. refrains from direct attacks. This condition complicates diplomatic efforts, as any perceived American aggression could derail prospects for de-escalation.

Our Take

Israel’s airstrike on Iran’s state television headquarters represents a bold escalation in its campaign to dismantle Iran’s strategic capabilities, but it risks inflaming tensions and undermining international norms governing warfare. The targeting of IRIB, while tactically effective in disrupting Iran’s propaganda efforts, raises serious concerns about the proportionality and legality of attacking civilian infrastructure, even if used for military purposes. The United States’ extensive support, while stopping short of direct combat, positions it as a key player in the conflict, with significant implications for its credibility as a mediator in potential nuclear talks with Iran.

For global stakeholders, the strike’s broader consequences—potential disruptions to energy markets, heightened regional instability, and the erosion of diplomatic channels—demand urgent attention. Policymakers must prioritize backchannel negotiations to capitalize on Iran’s reported willingness to talk, while ensuring that military actions do not foreclose opportunities for a peaceful resolution. Businesses, particularly in the energy and shipping sectors, should prepare for volatility, as Iran’s retaliatory capabilities and alliances could exacerbate supply chain challenges. The international community, led by neutral mediators, must advocate for restraint to prevent a slide into a wider war that could reshape the Middle East and beyond.

BREAKING: Iran’s state TV says it is being attacked by Israel. pic.twitter.com/1wKC9BgWD5

— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 16, 2025