Number of Casualties or Injuries at the Broadcaster Remains Unknown
Trump Warns: "Everyone Must Leave Tehran"
A situation occurred in which broadcasting was interrupted after Israel attacked Iran's state broadcaster. The scene of the anchor hastily leaving her seat during a live broadcast was also aired live across Iran. On June 16 (local time), Yonhap News reported, citing a statement from Iran's state news agency IRNA, that Israel bombed the headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), causing a temporary interruption of the live broadcast.
A news anchor from Iran's state broadcaster IRIB hurriedly evacuated as the building shook and the background screen went dark due to an Israeli airstrike on the broadcasting station. Moments after the anchor's evacuation, dust scattering in the studio was also broadcast live across Iran. IRIB, AXIOS
At the time, the IRIB screen showed a female anchor conducting the news, who immediately evacuated as a loud explosion was heard and the screen shook, all of which was broadcast live. However, IRNA added, "The live broadcast was restored within a few minutes." Other Iranian media outlets also reported, "Broadcasting resumed from a new studio 30 minutes later, and the anchor returned to the broadcast." It has not yet been reported how many casualties or injuries occurred within the broadcasting station as a result of the airstrike.
IRIB immediately issued a statement condemning the attack and defined it as a criminal act. The broadcaster stated, "This is not simply an attack on a building, but an attack on the nation's right to speak, report, and resist," and criticized, "Targeting a media organization is a desperate act by Israel, fearing the truth will be revealed." Israel has not issued a statement regarding the attack.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump on this day urged people in Tehran, the Iranian capital, to leave immediately as Israeli airstrikes continued. The White House announced that President Trump decided to return early from the G7 summit being held in Canada, citing the ongoing military conflict between Israel and Iran in the Middle East as the reason.
President Trump wrote on Truth Social, his own social networking service, "Iran should have signed the 'deal' I asked them to sign. It's truly regrettable and a waste of human life." He continued, "Simply put, Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. I have said this repeatedly," and added, "You must evacuate Tehran immediately." President Trump did not specify the exact recipients of this evacuation message.
The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is informing the Iranian people about the situation with Israel through a broadcast. Photo by AFP and Yonhap News
It is interpreted that this was, in effect, an evacuation advisory equivalent to a de facto order for any Americans who may still be in the area, while also urging local Iranians to preserve their lives. Previously, the United States and Iran were scheduled to hold the sixth round of nuclear negotiations in Oman on June 15, but the talks were canceled after Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and other targets ahead of the negotiations. However, President Trump has repeatedly expressed confidence in reaching a nuclear deal with Iran, even after Israel's attack on Iran.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
