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As Israeli airstrikes pounded Tehran this week—together with a direct hit on Iran’s state tv headquarters—residents within the capital described a metropolis gripped by worry and confusion.
In unique feedback to Fox Information Digital, an impartial journalist primarily based in Tehran, who withheld their title for worry of reprisal, mentioned, “I hate the Islamic Republic, however my nation is underneath assault. Our home was shaking from the blasts and missiles an hour in the past whereas I used to be within the newsroom protecting the information. We’re in a warfare zone.”
In keeping with the journalist, the Israeli strike on the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) compound hit exhausting—bodily and symbolically.
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Waving Iran flag above skyline of Tehran at sundown. (iStock)
“The studio that was bombed yesterday is a part of the regime’s state broadcaster, a mouthpiece for propaganda that has by no means represented the individuals. For years, we imagined the autumn of IRIB as the ultimate chapter within the collapse of the Islamic Republic. However yesterday, for a couple of minutes, we have been all in shock,” they mentioned. “Odd individuals don’t watch the regime’s TV, however the assault on it felt surprisingly symbolic—just like the world was shifting.”
One other impartial Iranian journalist paradoxically added, “I’ve watched the video of the TV station being bombed whereas on air time and again, and couldn’t cease laughing.”
A missile struck the Islamic Republic of Iran Information Community (IRINN) throughout a stay broadcast exhibiting destruction of the studio and the reporter escaping to security. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures)
Regardless of the chaos, journalists like them are nonetheless making an attempt to report. “We don’t know the precise variety of casualties, and even the federal government numbers aren’t reliable. We are able to’t entry the assault websites—safety forces push us away. And the crackdown on reporters has solely gotten worse.”
Web entry has been largely severed. “More often than not, the web doesn’t work in any respect,” they added. “However we attempt to maintain going.”
One other Tehran resident instructed Fox Information Digital they solely realized concerning the scale of the assaults after briefly regaining web entry. “I used to be hiding in the course of the bombing. I had no thought what was occurring. Has the U.S. intervened? Is that this going to proceed?” they requested.
Folks collect on the street within the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, Jun.13, 2025. (West Asia Information Company by way of REUTERS)
The confusion comes as Washington debates whether or not to affix the battle militarily or pursue a diplomatic decision with Tehran. Some within the Trump administration reportedly favor a deal to keep away from additional escalation, whereas others advocate for a extra forceful stance.
In the meantime, President Trump’s message was seemingly seen by Iranians when he urged civilians to evacuate Tehran. On Reality Social yesterday, “IRAN CANNOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I mentioned it time and again! Everybody ought to instantly evacuate Tehran!”
The consequence was reportedly swift, leading to a mass exodus from the capital. “Persons are terrified,” mentioned a resident of Tehran. “They’re locking their doorways and fleeing the town. Roads are packed. However for these of us who keep—it’s not straightforward both. All evening, we hear missiles, bombings, explosions.”
” I don’t wish to go away my residence. However sure—I’m scared,” they added.
FILE. Iranians rose up in 2022 in opposition to the regime. On this photograph taken by a person not employed by the Related Press and obtained by the AP exterior Iran exhibits college students of the Sharif College of Expertise attend a protest sparked by the demise of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini within the custody of the nation’s morality police, in Tehran, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (AP Photograph)
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Additionally they responded to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who on Monday urged Iranians to stand up, saying, “Nobody thought the Assad regime would fall, nevertheless it did.”
“You’re bombing a metropolis of ten million and telling individuals to stand up?” including, “When individuals are underneath hearth, they don’t begin a revolution—they take shelter or flee.”
