IRIB in the line of fire; Damage to Iran's media center in the 12-day war and recent attack
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) was once again attacked by Israel and the United States after the damage it suffered during the 12-day war.
In recent years, the tension between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Israeli regime has become one of the most serious security crises in the Middle East. In the summer of 2025, a 12-day war broke out between the two sides, and just two months into 2026 (Esfandi 1404), the conflict escalated to an unprecedented level with the expansion of military attacks and air operations. Iranian state media, especially the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, has been at the center of these conflicts not only as a source of news but also as a symbolic institution.
During the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June 2025 (Khordad 1404), Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation's media center (the glass building) in Tehran. The attack occurred during a live broadcast, causing the live broadcast to be interrupted and the studios to go out of service for a short time.
Reports and videos show that dust and debris entered the studios and the presenters were forced to leave the stage, although broadcasts continued from other studios.
Although the attack failed to stop the broadcasting of the Iranian Broadcasting System for long hours, it caused serious disruptions in live news coverage and the dispatch of reporters to areas located in the capital. Some of the technical equipment and infrastructure were also damaged, requiring subsequent reconstruction.
On March 1, 2026, corresponding to Esfand 10, 1404, an Israeli airstrike was reported on the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation building in central Tehran, causing a fire and damage to parts of the building.
Some news sources have also reported casualties near the IRIB broadcasting site, including several people killed in an attack on parts of the media building. Despite the attack, Iranian officials have stated that IRIB broadcasting continues, although technical disruptions and damage to infrastructure have affected the quality and scope of coverage.
The attack on the glass building of the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation during the 12-day war and yesterday's attack on this national media outlet will have consequences:
A) Media consequences
- Reduced ability to provide live and impartial coverage: The Iranian Broadcasting Corporation, as the official state media outlet, faced technical limitations after the attacks, which caused some coverage to be delayed or broadcast from backup studios.
- Widening the public trust gap: Direct attacks on official media, even if they have security implications, can increase distrust among some audiences about the media's ability to respond to a crisis, especially if coverage is censored or delayed.
- The use of media by both sides as a tool of war: These tensions show that the media is used by both sides not only to provide information, but also as a tool of psychological influence and propaganda in contemporary wars.
B) Security and political consequences
1. Escalation of tension and reciprocal response: Attacks on government media centers have been accompanied by official reactions from Tehran, and Iran has promised harsh responses that could increase the scope of the conflict.
2. International pressure and human rights: Iran has condemned such attacks as "war crimes" and has called for their condemnation in international forums, an issue that could influence global media coverage and the stance of countries.
3. Challenges in cyberspace: In addition to physical attacks, cyberattacks and hacking of some media outlets and other government news agencies have also been reported (Broadcasting of Benjamin Netanyahu's speeches on Iranian networks after this media outlet was hacked), which indicates the expansion of the scope of threats to the digital space.
The attacks on the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) during the 12-day war and in the recent attack, in addition to the physical damage, have affected the newsworthiness and coverage of the official Iranian media. These attacks also show that the media in modern conflicts are not only direct military targets, but also part of the media and psychological front in the war.
The political, media, and social consequences of these losses could have a lasting impact on public trust in Iran and the Islamic Republic's international standing.
