Israel Continues to Deliberately Target Journalists

The IRIB office in Tehran was attacked on Monday night (16/6/2025). Broadcaster Sahar Emami was explaining the developments of the Israeli attack on Iran when the assault occurred. "We are being attacked because this is the enemy's strategy to target the media," said IRIB Director Peyman Jebelli to the MEHR news agency.

The attack on IRIB was not Israel's first brutality against journalists on duty. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Israeli attacks on Lebanon-Palestine in 2023-2025 killed 185 journalists.

The number could be larger if counting victims who died while off duty. "Every time a journalist is killed, injured, detained, or forced into exile, we lose an element of truth. Those responsible for these victims face two courts: one under international law and another before the court of history," said CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna.

Every article, video, or photo covering the activities of Tzahal may only be distributed if it has been censored by Israel. Various media offices always state that the journalistic works they broadcast have undergone examination and censorship by Israel.

Israel accused IRIB and all Iranian media of being propaganda channels. Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated that he would target all Iranian media. A few hours later, the IRIB office was attacked.

Quoting the Times of Israel, the Israeli military attacked the IRIB station with four bombs. Emami even said that a number of journalists were victims of the Israeli attack on IRIB. "This is an evil attack and is a war crime," said Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei.

Despite the deaths of many journalists, not a single Israeli soldier or police officer has been punished. Even the countries that support Israel in Europe and America are silent. Usually, these countries condemn the suppression of press freedom. "There are no serious statements about this violation of the Geneva Convention," said the editor-in-chief of the International Reporter Agency in Russia, Christelle Neant, to Tass.

A journalist born in France who is now a Russian citizen stated that Israel receives immunity from the West to continue killing and injuring journalists. "Israel fears journalists because they fear the truth, fear the war crimes of the Israeli military being broadcast," he said.

Israel's attacks on Iran are not only targeting journalists. Baghaei from the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that 73 children and women have died as a result of the latest Israeli attacks.

"Israel has always denied any damage to settlements (in Iran). In fact, a total of 73 women and children have died in just the last three attacks," he said.

Iran retaliated against a series of Israeli attacks with missiles and drones. According to CNN, at least 370 missiles and many more Iranian drones targeted various cities in Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces have prohibited citizens from sharing video recordings and photos of the damage. Israeli media outlet Kaan reported that Israel is now beginning to restrict foreign journalists from broadcasting reports on the damage caused by the Iranian attacks.

Not only the Iranian-Israeli citizens, but the war also impacts Indonesian citizens. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that 386 Indonesian citizens reside in Iran and another 194 are in Israel. So far, there have been no reports of Indonesian citizens being injured.

However, there are a number of Indonesian travelers who cannot return from Israel and Iran. This is because flights to and from those countries have ceased operations.

The global community could also be further affected by Iran's retaliatory actions. Tehran continues to review plans to close the Strait of Hormuz. Up to 20 percent of global oil and gas is transported through that strait. If Iran closes the strait, global energy supplies will be impacted.

The discourse was reported by Euronews, citing the Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Sardar Esmail Koswari. "We are seeking the best decision. We must deter the enemy, and all strategies are being considered," he stated. (AP/AFP)