Why is Israel Attacking Iranian Media?

Attack on Iranian 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 were attacked because this is the enemy's strategy to target the media," said IRIB Director Peyman Jebelli to the MEHR news agency.

The attack resulted in the deaths of three journalists from IRINN, a television channel owned by IRIB. Several employees of IRINN and IRIB also lost their lives due to the attack.

Referring to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Israel's attacks on Lebanon-Palestine from 2023 to 2025 resulted in the deaths of 185 journalists. The number could be higher if counting those who were killed while not on duty.

Another Israeli attack on journalists

In a statement on Monday (20/11/2023) evening Gaza time or early Tuesday WIB, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that 50 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza. Citing Agence France Press and Reuters, the Israeli military (IDF) indeed admitted that it would not guarantee the safety of journalists in Gaza.

Meanwhile, in a report on Tuesday (21/11/2023), Reuters revealed information about journalists who are strongly suspected of being deliberately targeted by the IDF. One of the victims is Yasser Qudih. His home was targeted in an Israeli airstrike on November 13, 2023, at 19:50 local time. He had just arrived an hour before his home was attacked.

Latest developments on the attack on Iran

US President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to the citizens of Tehran, Iran. He has also ordered additional military forces to the Middle East.

A US defense official, who requested anonymity, confirmed the addition of air tanker aircraft. Flight tracking websites indicated that 31 US air tankers were heading to the Middle East on Monday. The majority of these aircraft are KC-135 and KC-46. These tankers can refuel up to 240 fighter jets.

Before Israel attacked Iran, the US deployed dozens of bombers to Diego Garcia Base in the Indian Ocean. In May 2025, some of the aircraft left the British-owned base. Currently, the US maintains a portion of B-2 bombers at the base.

Iran's reaction to the attack

The Iranian government has announced plans to withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty or NPT. They stated that Iran is being treated unfairly regarding uranium enrichment, which they assert is solely for peaceful purposes and the welfare of the people.

"We are taking steps that align with the latest developments. The parliament is currently drafting legislation to withdraw Iran from the NPT," said the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei, in Tehran, Monday (16/6/2025).

A member of the Iranian Parliament, Meysam Zahourian, explained that the law was drafted based on Article 10 of Iran's NPT Ratification Law. Its content states that Iran can withdraw from the NPT if faced with an emergency situation that threatens national security and interests.

The impact of Israeli attacks on the world

Global oil prices have surged in recent days following the escalation of conflict between Iran and Israel. This conflict is hoped not to last long and to avoid consequences as severe as the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.

Nevertheless, if the escalation of tensions between the two countries continues, global oil prices could potentially return to the level of 100 US dollars per barrel. This surge in global oil prices may have a negative impact on Indonesia's trade balance.

Citing Trading Economics, the global oil price on Monday (16/6/2025) nearly reached 75 US dollars per barrel, the highest in the last six months. This price has increased by approximately 7 percent at the close of trading on Friday (13/6/2026).