Broadcast blackout looms: Israel says Iran’s TV and radio networks may soon vanish completely

A live Iranian state television broadcast was abruptly cut short on Monday when an Israeli airstrike hit the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) headquarters in Tehran, according to a rpeort. The presenter, who had just been condemning Israel on live TV, suddenly left the screen as Israel attacked the building, reported Alarabiya.

IRIB Broadcast Cut on Live TV as Missile Strikes the Building

A senior official at IRIB, Hassan Abedini said, “The Zionist regime, the enemy of the Iranian nation, minutes ago conducted a military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran news network, (which is part of IRIB)," as quoted in the report.

Abedini emphasized that, “The regime (Israel) was unaware of the fact that the voice of the Islamic Revolution and the great Iran will not be silenced with a military operation.” quoted Alarabiya.

Iran Labels Attack a ‘War Crime’

According to the report, Iran called Israel’s attack on the state TV building in Tehran as a “war crime,” and urged the UN Security Council to take action.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that the strike on the offices of IRIB during a live broadcast was a “a wicked act” and a “war crime,” reported Alarabiya. He highlighted that, “The UNSC must act now to stop the genocidal aggressor from committing further atrocities against our people,” as quoted in the report.

Israel Defends Strike, Warns of Further Action

However, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had already warned earlier on Monday, saying that Iran’s state television and radio were “about to disappear,” after an evacuation warning was issued for the district in Tehran where the broadcaster is based, Alarabiya reported.

He had given a warning that, “The Iranian propaganda and incitement megaphone is about to disappear,” adding, “Evacuation of nearby residents has begun," as quoted in the report.

After Israeli airstrikes attacked Iran’s state broadcaster, Katz said, “The propaganda and incitement broadcasting authority of the Iranian regime was attacked” and also asserted that, “We will strike the Iranian dictator (Ali Khamenei) everywhere,” as quoted in Alarabiya's report.

While, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ABC News during an interview on Monday that killing Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader and highest authority, would “end the conflict” between the two countries, according to the report.

FAQs

Did Israel issue a warning before the strike?
Yes, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said earlier on Monday that the broadcaster would “disappear” and warned nearby residents to evacuate, as per the report.

What was Iran’s response to the attack?
Iran strongly condemned it, calling it a “war crime” and asking the UN Security Council to step in immediately, as per the report.