Iran’s state media reported on Thursday that at least 12 journalists and media workers were killed during Israeli airstrikes in the recent 12-day conflict between the two nations.
The announcement came from the media arm of the Basij paramilitary forces, a branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which confirmed the deaths after identifying two additional victims.
The Basij organization strongly condemned Israel’s actions, accusing it of deliberately targeting media infrastructure “to silence the voice of truth” and suppress what it called the “media of the Resistance Front” – a reference to Iran and its allied groups opposed to Israel. These allegations emerged as casualty figures continued rising even after the conflict’s conclusion.
The hostilities began on June 13 with a surprise Israeli attack that escalated into an intensive bombing campaign targeting Iranian military installations, nuclear facilities and civilian areas. Among the strikes was a direct hit on Iran’s state broadcasting service in northern Tehran.
According to Iranian officials, the Israeli offensive resulted in 1,060 deaths, including senior military leaders, nuclear scientists and numerous civilians.
In retaliation, Iran launched drone and missile attacks that Israeli authorities said killed at least 28 people. The conflict marked one of the most direct and destructive confrontations between the long-time adversaries in recent years.
Iran’s latest claims about journalist fatalities add another layer to the ongoing tensions, with Tehran asserting that Israel specifically targeted media personnel to control wartime narratives.