On Monday, during a live broadcast, an Iranian state television reporter abruptly halted the program as an explosion rocked the Tehran area, which had been warned for evacuation by Israel just an hour prior. The reporter, working for the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, described the incident as a “sound of aggression against the homeland, the sound of aggression against truth and righteousness” as dust filled the studio.
Anchor Sahar Emami was seen rushing off-camera when the broadcast behind her cut out. In the chaos, voices in the background could be heard chanting “Allahu akbar,” which translates to “God is great.” Following the incident, the broadcast quickly transitioned to pre-recorded segments, but Emami returned from another studio, revealing that “bodies of reporters” were located at the site of the explosion. Images from the location depicted smoke and flames rising into the sky.
Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, confirmed responsibility for the attack, stating, “The Iranian regime’s propaganda and incitement broadcasting authority was attacked by the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) after a widespread evacuation of the area’s residents.” He further proclaimed that Israel would continue its operations against the Iranian leadership, declaring, “We will strike the Iranian dictator everywhere.”
An hour before the explosion, the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning that impacted up to 330,000 residents in a central Tehran region that encompasses the country's state TV headquarters, police headquarters, and three significant hospitals. This evacuation order mirrored a similar pattern previously established in Gaza and Lebanon, where warnings were sent to civilians ahead of planned military strikes.
This unprecedented warning coincided with the ongoing conflict, marking the fourth day of clashes between Israel and Iran. The Israeli military claimed to have achieved air superiority over Tehran, asserting that its aircraft could operate over the city without confronting substantial threats.
