July 10, 2025 — Tehran, Iran — Iran’s media-affiliated Basij paramilitary reported that at least 12 journalists and media workers were killed in Israeli airstrikes during the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, according to the IRNA news agency .
The report accused Israel of deliberately targeting media sites, aiming to “silence the voice of truth” and suppress outlets aligned with the “Resistance Front,” which refers to Iran and its allies .
Context & Details:
The airstrikes included hits on the Iranian state broadcasting service in northern Tehran during the conflict that began mid-June .
Independent verification by press freedom groups (CPJ, IFJ) confirms at least four confirmed media worker deaths, with additional casualties reported during the escalation .
The Basij’s count of 12 deaths is higher than official tallies from press freedom monitors. Still, it reflects the highly damaging impact of targeted strikes on media entities .
Iran’s Position:
Iranian authorities have labeled these strikes as deliberate acts against journalists, characterizing them as war crimes meant to suppress dissenting narratives and stifle independent reporting .
Broader Implications:
These claims underscore increasing international concerns about attacks on journalists in conflict zones, particularly in Iran, Lebanon, and Gaza, where similar incidents have raised alarm .
Press freedom organizations have frequently condemned Israeli strikes on media infrastructure—both inside and beyond Israel Gaza territories—as alarming violations of protections guaranteed under international law.
