With her index finger raised and a determined expression, Iranian state TV presenter Sahar Emami has become a symbol of resilience in Iran following an Israeli strike on the national broadcaster.
During a live broadcast on Monday, several explosions echoed in the background as Emami calmly addressed the audience. “What you can see is the flagrant aggression of the Zionist regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its broadcaster,” she declared. “What you just heard was the sound of an aggressor against the motherland, the sound of an aggressor against truth.”
Known for her hard-hitting interviews with senior government officials, Emami remained composed despite the growing danger. As dust filled the studio and another blast sounded, she briefly left her seat and vanished from view. The destruction was broadcast live until the transmission abruptly cut off.
Despite the chaos, Emami, reportedly in her forties and a familiar face after 15 years with state television, returned to the airwaves just minutes later, continuing the broadcast as if nothing had happened.
The state TV headquarters in Tehran, identifiable by its glass-fronted facade, sustained significant damage from the ensuing fire triggered by the Israeli assault. Official media later circulated images of charred offices and destroyed studios. The broadcaster reported that three people were killed in the attack.
On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned Israel’s actions, labelling them an act of “cowardice” that reflected Israeli “desperation.” The conservative daily Farhikhtegan praised Emami’s composure, stating on its front page: “Female journalist’s resistance until the last moment sends a clear message.” The ultraconservative Kayhan described her bravery as “surprising friends and foes.”
The government has honoured Emami’s courage by erecting a banner in Tehran’s central Vali-Asr Square featuring her image alongside a verse from Persian poet Ferdowsi, celebrating women’s bravery on the battlefield.
State television has since repeatedly broadcast the dramatic footage of Emami’s broadcast during the attack, hailing her as a national heroine. In contrast, it mocked a journalist from the London-based Iran International TV—known for its opposition to the Iranian government—who was seen rushing to a bomb shelter in Israel during a live broadcast following warnings of incoming Iranian missiles.
