Israel Strikes Iranian State Media

Israel Claims the State Media HQs is destroyed

An Israeli airstrike targeted and destroyed the headquarters of Iran's state media, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), in Tehran during a live broadcast. The attack was part of a broader escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, marking the fourth day of intense back-and-forth strikes. The strike was highly symbolic, as the IRIB is closely linked to the Iranian government and serves as a key propaganda tool.

The airstrike occurred amidst heightened tensions, with Israel targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, military bases, and leadership since June 13, 2025. The attack on the IRIB headquarters followed Israeli warnings to evacuate parts of Tehran, with Israel claiming "full aerial superiority" and expanding its targets to include symbolic and strategic sites.

🚨BREAKING: Israeli missile strikes Iranian state media facility.
pic.twitter.com/h07aJbU80N

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 16, 2025

The IRIB headquarters was left burning, with significant structural damage described as a "smoldering crater" in some accounts. Iranian journalist Younes Shadlou reported that many colleagues were inside the building at the time, and it remains unclear how many survived or were killed. Despite evacuation warnings, some staff stayed to continue broadcasting.

Casualties: Exact casualty figures for the IRIB strike are not specified. The strike was seen as a deliberate move to disrupt Iran’s ability to control its narrative and project power through state media. Analysts noted it aimed at psychological disruption rather than purely military advantage.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa, with Iranian state media reporting a new wave of attacks following the IRIB strike. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed to punish Israel, and Iran’s UN envoy accused Israel of violating international law.