Steadfast news reading while bombing: Venezuela honours Iranian anchor
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Tehran: Iranian news anchor Sahar Emami has been awarded the 2025 Venezuelan Simon Bolivar National Media Award for her bravery in reporting despite the Israeli government’s attack on the Islamic Republic of News Network studio.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro presented the prestigious award to Emami and her slain colleagues at a ceremony marking National Journalists’ Day in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Saturday. He praised the courage and professionalism of the journalists who were inside the building during the attack.
Maduro said that this award represents a unanimous sentiment of humanity to recognize the courage of the Iranian woman Sahar Imami and her colleagues Nima Rajabbour and Masoumeh Azimi for their courageous work in revealing the truth at a time when the Iranian people are heroically resisting. He condemned the attacks carried out by the Israeli regime and the United States in Iran. He also praised the steadfastness of the Iranian people, as well as the leadership, government, and armed forces.
Ali Chegini, Iran's ambassador to Venezuela, received a special award on behalf of Emami and the families of those killed in the attack.
On June 16, the Israeli government attacked the central building housing the IRIB news department during a live news broadcast. The broadcast was briefly interrupted before Hassan Abedini, IRIB's news director and deputy for political affairs, could broadcast a statement condemning the terrorist attack.
Emami was presenting the news at the time of the attack. She remained steadfast in her stance, condemning the attack even as the building shook with the first blast. Within moments, another explosion filled the studio with smoke and dust, forcing her to evacuate. She soon returned to the studio to join Abedini and share her harrowing experience.
On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran. The targeted strikes killed senior military commanders and top nuclear scientists. They then attacked nuclear and military sites and civilian areas. As part of Operation True Promise 3, the Iranian armed forces launched 22 missile strikes. These targeted several strategic sites in Israeli-occupied territories.
