Israel’s military confirmed it bombed the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) headquarters in Tehran on Monday, knocking its main news channels off the air and igniting a fire that continued burning late into the night.
Israel’s military said the strike targeted a facility used by Iran’s armed forces “to advance military operations under civilian activity.”
A video sent to Iran International showed smoke still pouring from the building after nightfall.
A sprawling and modern office complex, the state media headquarters oversees several channels and is viewed by Tehran’s detractors as a key pillar of the Islamic Republic’s control over society.
The building most affected was the Glass Building, the network’s central studio complex, named for its transparent walls.
The strike followed a public warning by the Israeli military’s Persian-language spokesperson, who called on residents of Tehran’s District 3 to evacuate hours before the attack.
An IRIB presenter confirmed that at least four bombs hit the broadcaster's compound. “The missile hit the office of [IRIB chief] Peyman Jebelli,” he said. “Jebelli was in the newsroom at the time and survived.”
The 21:00 nightly news—the Islamic Republic’s most prominent broadcast—was canceled for the first time in 43 years Monday night.
Earlier, IRIB announced its 20:30 bulletin could not air due to the damage. Multiple interruptions hit the News Channel’s live coverage, and the broadcasts were moved to alternative studios, but the extent of the casualties remains unclear.
An IRIB reporter said only several colleagues were injured. However, Hamshahri, a Tehran-based daily affiliated with the municipality, reported that several employees were killed in the attack.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz posted on X: “The Iranian regime's propaganda and incitement broadcasting authority was attacked by the IDF after a widespread evacuation of residents in the area. We will defeat the Iranian dictator everywhere.”
IRIB’s symbolic and operational role in the Islamic Republic made the strike particularly significant.
Following the on the IRIB headquarters, a surge of celebratory reactions flooded social media and Iran International.
Videos neighborhood captured chants of “death to the dictator” and “death to Khamenei” ringing out from windows around the IRIB complex.
The attack on the state broadcaster underscores a major shift in Israel’s strategy: targeting not just military infrastructure, but the ruling system’s institutions.
Israeli attacks targeted Iran’s foreign ministry, interior ministry and ministry of intelligence along with military targets across the capital Tehran and nationwide. Tehran’s historic bazaar was shut down as merchants evacuated.
US President Trump said it was time for a deal to end the hostilities but suggested letting Israel and Iran keep scrapping.
"Well I hope there's going to be a deal. I think it's time for a deal and we'll see what happens but sometimes they have to fight it out but we're going to see what happens. I think there's a good chance there will be a deal," he told reporters on Sunday.
Israeli attacks since Friday had killed 224 people and wounded 1,277, spokesman for Iran’s health ministry Hossein Kermanpour said on social media.
Four people were killed in the latest Iranian missile attacks on Israel's central region, medic service Magen David Adom said early on Monday local time. Live feeds showed several apparent missile impacts on the northern port city of Haifa as well.
Tehran exodus
Traffic volume also surged at major exit points from Tehran, including the Tehran-North highway, Tehran-Qom route, and Haraz road, police said on Sunday, amid escalating war between Iran and Israel.
Israel has approved a new strike plan designed to prompt a mass civilian exodus from Tehran by targeting sites linked to the Iranian government, the Jewish state's Channel 14 reported Sunday night.
Explosions were also reported near key locations including Niavaran, Kashavarz Boulevard, the vicinity of Azadi Stadium, and the Air Force area (Nirou-Havaei) in eastern Tehran.
More attacks struck around Fatemi Square -- where the Interior Ministry is located --Valiasr Square, and downtown intersections near Alaeddin shopping mall in Jomhouri street.
Iranians from neighborhoods such as Jannatabad, Shush, Saadatabad, Punak, Ekbatan, and Chitgarhave sent Iran International video confirming missile strikes and anti-aircraft fire throughout the capital.
Around the airport area and Mehrabad, drone activity and defensive fire were also reported.
Strikes all across Iran
Beyond Tehran, the nearby city of Karaj faced drone assaults, particularly around the Azimieh area, with residents reporting heavy smoke and continuous anti-aircraft defense activity from the nearby mountains.
In the northwest, officials in Tabriz confirmed drone incursions and defensive responses but denied any explosions.
An Israeli military spokesperson also said on Sunday that they also attacked Isfahan nuclear facility.
Warning of regional escalation
Meanwhile a veteran commander mooted regional conflict and a possible eventual resort to nuclear weapons.
"Iran may be forced to take actions that could destabilize the entire region," Mohsen Rezaei, the IRGC general who commanded Iranian forces during the Iran-Iraq war, told the state TV.
Rezaei, once again seen wearing his military uniform, warned that Iran might have to cross its own red lines.
"For now, we have no plans to move towards nuclear weapons," Rezaei said.
Communications disrupted
Internet services have been disrupted in many Iranian cities, with users reporting severe difficulties accessing social media platforms like Instagram and messaging apps such as WhatsApp.
Videos shared on social media showed simultaneous fires at the Shohran oil depot and the Shahr-e Rey refinery near Tehran, with flames continuing for hours after the initial strikes overnight.
‘We have yet to strike all targets,’ Israeli military says
An Israeli military official said that a long list of Iranian targets remains untouched. Since June 13, the Israeli military has conducted approximately 170 airstrikes, striking over 720 sites across Iran.
Israel also issued a warning on Sunday, urging Tehran residents near weapons production centers to evacuate.
As the strikes continue, sounds of explosions and anti-aircraft gunfire remain frequent across Tehran and other cities.
