The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed responsibility for Monday's airstrike on the headquarters of Iran's state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), in Tehran.
In an official statement released shortly after the attack, the IDF claimed that the IRIB facility was being used by Iran's armed forces for military operations while operating under the guise of civilian media.
"This center was used by the armed forces to advance military operations under civilian cover, using its own means and assets," the statement said.
Evacuation Warnings Issued
According to the IDF, evacuation warnings were issued for a large section of Tehran where the broadcaster's building is located prior to the strike. The military also claimed it placed direct phone calls to residents in the area to minimize civilian casualties.
"The strike was also carried out in a targeted manner to minimize harm to uninvolved civilians as much as possible," the statement added.
The airstrike briefly knocked IRIB off the air and set parts of the building ablaze, coming amid growing hostilities between Israel and Iran. BenriNews reports that though live broadcasts were interrupted, the network resumed coverage hours later, with officials vowing that their voice "would not be silenced."
This latest development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations, raising concerns about potential further retaliatory actions from both sides.
The attack on Iran's state broadcaster follows a series of reciprocal strikes between the two countries in recent months, with tensions reaching unprecedented levels in the region.
International observers are closely monitoring the situation as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict continue amid fears of a wider regional war.
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