Live on air: Israel bombs Iranian state TV after unprecedented evacuation notice for Tehran

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) bombed targets in the Iranian capital Tehran on Monday afternoon, including the studio of the state-affiliated TV channel, after issuing a first-of-its kind evacuation notice for an entire neighborhood in the city.

“Dear citizens, for your safety, we ask you to immediately leave the mentioned area in District 3 of Tehran,” said the IDF Persian-language spokesman, Master Sgt. (res.) Kamal Penhasi.

🚨 BREAKING: The IDF issues an evacuation order for a large part of Tehran’s District 3 ahead of strikes. The IDF’s Arabic spokesman, Col. Avichay Adraee, urges residents to leave immediately for their safety. Israeli forces will target Iranian military sites in the area,… pic.twitter.com/yEqYoxIm8t

— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) June 16, 2025

“In the coming hours, the Israeli army will operate in this area, as it has in recent days throughout Tehran, to strike the Iranian regime’s military infrastructure,” the warning continued. “Your presence in this area puts your life at risk.”

This was the first evacuation notice of its kind, formulated similarly to evacuation calls made repeatedly for areas in Beirut or the Gaza Strip in recent months.

The move is seen as a response to Iran's targeted strikes on civilian areas, which have killed 24 Israelis so far.

Several hours later, Iranian media reported that strikes in the area had begun, particularly targeting the studios of the regime-affiliated state broadcaster IRIB.

⚡️BREAKING: Israel has struck the headquarters of Iranian state television live on air. pic.twitter.com/iOhpFkavBr

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 16, 2025

The IDF later stated that it hit a "communication center that was being used... by the Iranian Armed Forces under the guise of civilian activity, covering up the military use of the center's infrastructure and assets. The strike directly harmed the military capabilities of the Iranian Armed Forces."

"Prior to the strike, the IDF provided an effective advanced warning to the civilian population, including phone calls, and conducted the strike in a precise manner in order to mitigate harm to civilians as far as feasible."

היום, חיל האוויר תקף באופן ממוקד ובהכוונה מודיענית מדויקת של אגף המודיעין, את מרכז התקשורת המשמש את הכוחות המזוינים של איראן לפעילות צבאית.

מרכז זה שימש את הכוחות המזוינים לקידום פעולות צבאיות בכסות אזרחית, תוך שהוא משתמש באמצעים ובנכסים שלו.

טרם התקיפה, צה"ל הזהיר את… pic.twitter.com/Wry9kkmIus

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 16, 2025

Footage circulating on social media showed that an IRIB live broadcast by a female moderator was abruptly ended when an airstrike hit the building. Other footage showed the building partially destroyed and burning after the strike.

“Worth noting IRIB has worked with the Islamic Republic's intelligence services to broadcast forced confessions of Western hostages, including Americans, and Iranian political prisoners,” wrote Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, a U.S.-based think tank.

Explosions at #Iran's State TV headquarters after #Israel bombed the building today. Worth noting IRIB has worked with the Islamic Republic's intelligence services to broadcast forced confessions of Western hostages, including Americans, and Iranian political prisoners. pic.twitter.com/e64SM4naN3

— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) June 16, 2025

Iran International reported that a building used as a gathering place for high-ranking regime officials was also targeted, probably as part of the same wave of Israeli strikes.

The attack in northern Tehran followed vague warnings issued by Defense Minister Israel Katz, who said, “The Iranian propaganda and incitement mouthpiece is on its way to disappearing.”

After the strikes, Katz confirmed that the regime’s “propaganda and incitement broadcasting authority was attacked… we will strike the Iranian dictator everywhere.”

On Sunday, Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, had threatened that the fate of Tehran would be the same as the fate of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

On Monday, Katz also corrected a message on 𝕏 that seemed to imply that the IDF would target Iranian citizens, later writing that “there is no intention to physically harm the residents of Tehran as the murderous dictator does against the residents of Israel.”

“The residents of Tehran will be forced to pay the price of dictatorship and evacuate their homes from areas where it will be necessary to attack regime targets and security infrastructure in Tehran.”

התגובה האיראנית... pic.twitter.com/47mgeRQqfJ

— roi kais • روعي كايس • רועי קייס (@kaisos1987) June 16, 2025

In response to Israel’s strikes, Iranian media broadcast threats to Israeli Channels 12 and 14, whose studios are located near Jerusalem and in Modi’in, respectively, calling on them to evacuate their studios.

In another response, regime-affiliated outlets published mock evacuation calls for the Israeli city of Bnei Brak, done in a similar style to the IDF’s evacuation notices.

Later on Monday, IRIB resumed its broadcasts, apparently from a different location. “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,” a representative stated.

Read more: IRAN THREAT | OPERATION RISING LION | IDF OPERATION | ISRAEL KATZ