After an Israeli airstrike hit one of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting’s (IRIB) main facilities in Tehran, a staff member was martyred.
IRIB secretariat employee Masoumeh Azimi passed away from wounds sustained in the blast’s shockwave. The strike, which targeted the building housing IRIB’s news and political affairs section, took place on Monday during a live broadcast. The facility was struck by at least four projectiles, which resulted in injuries and momentarily interrupted transmission.
Sahar Emami, the news anchor, continued to broadcast in spite of the turmoil. She bravely carried on the show as the building shook, saying, “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great). This bold moment went viral on social media and brought attention to the attack on Iran’s national media.
Numerous more reporters were hurt inside the structure as well. Hassan Abedini, IRIB’s news director and deputy for political affairs, made a live on-air appearance shortly after the strike to condemn what he called a “diabolic terrorist crime.”
Declaring the attack a “war crime,” Iran’s foreign ministry vehemently denounced it and urged the UN to hold Israel responsible for attacking media outlets and journalists.
The strike’s perpetrator was acknowledged by the Israeli Ministry of Military Affairs.
Israeli media workers have been accused of being purposefully targeted after the violence escalated in October 2023. During this time, more than 250 journalists have reportedly been slain in the Gaza Strip alone.
The assault on IRIB is a component of a larger Israeli military operation that started early Friday and involved synchronized attacks in Tehran and other parts of Iran. Senior military officials, nuclear scientists, and many civilians, including women and children, have purportedly been martyred as a result of the strikes.
Israeli strike on Iranian TV channel denounced by CPJ and UN chairman
The Israeli bombing of Iran’s main television program has been sharply denounced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who has reiterated that international law protects journalists and medical professionals.
The attack was also condemned by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), who cautioned that Israel’s past acts, including the murder of around 200 journalists in Gaza, had given the go-ahead for more attacks on media outlets throughout the area.
The group urged an immediate halt to the violence in a statement, emphasizing that attacks on journalists must stop and that media workers must be permitted to work in safety and freedom.
