Paris, June 16, 2025—The Israeli military struck the headquarters of the state-owned outlet Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in the capital, Tehran, on Monday, interrupting a live broadcast. The strike occurred on the fourth day of fire exchanged between Israel and Iran.
Footage showed an explosion in the studio and Sahar Emami, a presenter for the outlet, ducking for cover as debris and smoke filled the frame. CPJ was unable to immediately verify reports of journalists killed and injured at the scene.
“CPJ is appalled by Israel’s bombing of Iran’s state television channel while reporters were live on air,” said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Regional Director Sara Qudah. “Israel’s killing, with impunity, of at least 185 journalists in Gaza has emboldened it to target media elsewhere in the region. This bloodshed must end now.”
“Listen, what you hear is the sound of the aggressor,” Emami said on air before the strike. “You hear the sound of the aggressor attacking the truth.” Minutes after the strike, Emami continued reporting from another studio and said reporters were killed.
Another anchor for the outlet said reporters were injured.
“I don’t know how many of my colleagues were martyred or injured,” said Younes Shadlou, a senior correspondent for IRIB, in an Instagram video. Shadlou is seen with blood on his hands in front of the building with fire and smoke.
The Israel Defense Forces had issued an evacuation warning for the area in which the headquarters was located. The IDF later confirmed the precision strike in a statement saying it had targeted a communication center that was being used by the Iranian military “under the guise of civilian activity.” CPJ was unable to independently confirm these allegations.
“The Iranian regime’s propaganda and incitement broadcasting authority was attacked by the IDF after a widespread evacuation of the area’s residents,” said Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz. “We will strike the Iranian dictator everywhere.”
CPJ’s email to IDF’s North America Media Desk to ask about the targeting of journalists did not immediately receive a response.
CPJ’s multiple attempts to contact officials from the broadcaster were unanswered, as Iran imposed severe internet restrictions since the outbreak of the conflict on Friday. Despite broadcasting, the outlet’s website is inaccessible.
“There is absolutely no logical reason for Israel to target a media outlet or facility in Iran that holds no weapons and poses no threat to anyone,” said Peyman Jebelli, head of IRIB. “In any war or conflict around the world, attacking a media outlet is unjustifiable…But when we look at the history of the Zionist state and its wars against the people of this region, we see that journalists and media organizations have consistently been among its targets.”
As of June 16, 2025, CPJ’s preliminary investigations showed at least 185 journalists and media workers were among the more than tens of thousands killed in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon since the Israel-Gaza War began, making it the deadliest period for journalists since CPJ began gathering data in 1992.
This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.