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Israeli warplanes struck an Iranian state-run TV network on Monday, expanding Israel’s campaign against the Islamic Republic.
The attack hit the Akharin Khabar channel during a live broadcast, causing an explosion that sent debris flying and forced the hijab-clad anchor to flee the screen. Smoke filled the studio as shouting erupted in the background.
Israel has expanded its military campaign in recent days, targeting Iran’s political, government, and military sites to pressure a regime already on the defensive after Israel’s initial strikes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave an interview to Iran International, an exiled opposition outlet, following the latest attack. Israeli strikes on Iranian military facilities continued from Sunday into Monday as the conflict entered its fourth day with no signs of easing.
Israeli forces struck a building used as a disguised military communication center by Iran’s armed forces, according to the IDF. The facility, posing as a civilian outpost, functioned as a command center for Tehran’s army. The IDF said the strike directly weakened Iran’s military capabilities and noted that civilians in the area were warned in advance. Late Sunday, Israeli warplanes also hit over 20 Iranian and Quds Force command sites and killed top intelligence officials from the IRGC and Quds Force, according to IDF spokesman Effie Defrin.
⚡️Ізраїль вдарив по штаб-квартирі іранського державного телебачення Akharin Khabar під час прямого етеру pic.twitter.com/IyCfUULTd2
— ГЛАВКОМ (@GLAVCOM_UA) June 16, 2025
Iran’s Quds Force has been the key driver of attacks on Israel for decades, IDF spokesman Effie Defrin said, adding that its command centers have now been destroyed. Many were hidden in civilian buildings, thereby increasing the risk of collateral damage. In a separate operation Sunday night, over 50 Israeli jets destroyed around 120 missile launchers in central Iran—roughly one-third of Iran’s total stock. The IDF also hit missile storage and production sites.
