The headquarters of the Iranian state television, Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN), operated by IRIB, was hit by an Israeli strike on Monday evening, which abruptly halted its live broadcast, media reports said.
The strike comes after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that the “Iranian propaganda and incitement mouthpiece is on its way to disappearing.”
His statement followed an evacuation warning that was issued for a district in northern Tehran where the broadcaster is based.
According to the Iranian media, the explosion occurred while a presenter was delivering a live on-air criticism of Israel. Moments later, she was seen leaving the broadcast.
During the live broadcast, the presenter said that the studio was filling with dust after “the sound of aggression against the homeland.”
Soon, an explosion struck the studio, shattering the screen behind her, and she was forced to rush off camera.
The channel then abruptly switched to pre-recorded programming.
The Israel Defense Forces on Monday claimed it had eliminated four high-ranking Iranian intelligence officials during a precision airstrike carried out by Israeli fighter jets in Tehran.
The deceased included the chief of the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
“The IDF eliminated 4 senior Iranian intelligence officials, including the Head of the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization,” the IDF wrote on X.
IDF said IAF fighter jets guided by precise intelligence struck a structure in Tehran housing top Iranian intelligence officials.
The deceased Iranian intelligence officials were identified as Mohammad Kazemi, Head of IRGC Intelligence Organization, Mohammad Hassan Mohaqiq, his deputy, Mohsen Bakri, Head of Quds Force Intelligence and Abu al-Fadl Nikouei, his deputy.
