Missile strike shakes Iranian state TV studio amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict
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As tensions between Israel and Iran intensify, a live Iranian state TV broadcast was abruptly interrupted by a missile strike that shook the studio compound during an on-air news bulletin.
The attack, reportedly carried out by Israel, occurred while anchor Sahar Imami was reading the news.
Startling footage circulated online shows the studio trembling under the impact, prompting Imami to flee as voices in the background cry "Allah-hu-Akbar."
According to local reports from Tehran, both Imami and the studio staff escaped unharmed. Unverified claims suggest she may have returned to her post shortly after the incident to continue reporting on the fast-unfolding conflict.
The strike on the state broadcaster came amid a broader wave of Israeli air raids across Iran, particularly targeting the capital, Tehran. Israel has declared "total air superiority" as hostilities surge between the two regional adversaries. The country says it is progressing steadily towards its military objectives.
Chaos gripped Tehran’s streets as widespread panic took hold. Highways leading out of the city were packed with vehicles, with residents scrambling to flee to smaller towns while stocking up on necessities. The exodus follows Israeli warnings of potential strikes on strategic infrastructure, in retaliation for Iran's recent ballistic missile attacks on Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz stated, "While 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. We will continue to protect the residents of Israel."
In response, Iranian officials dismissed the comments as “psychological warfare”, urging calm. However, Iranian state media later showed visuals of massive traffic jams as citizens attempted to escape the capital.
Among those being moved are hundreds of Indian students. The Indian embassy has begun evacuating them to the city of Qom, located approximately 150 kilometres from Tehran, as well as other safer towns, in a bid to ensure their security amid the escalating violence.
Israel has indicated its military response will escalate further.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing soldiers at the Tel Nof airbase, reaffirmed the goals of the campaign, stating, “We are on our way to achieving our two main objectives: eliminating the nuclear threat and eliminating the missile threat.”
The ongoing airstrikes follow Iran’s recent launch of hundreds of ballistic missiles at major Israeli cities. Although the majority were intercepted, Israeli authorities confirmed seven managed to breach defences, leaving at least 100 people injured.
