Israel Hacked Iranian National Broadcast, Urged Protests Against the Regime

Iranian opposition outlet Iran International reported that Israeli-linked forces hacked into state television broadcasts across Iran, airing footage of protests and displaying messages urging Iranian citizens to rise up against the regime.

In the top corner of the broadcast screen appeared the emblem of "Operation Rising Lion", the official branding released by Israel’s National Public Diplomacy Directorate. The messages called on Iranians to take to the streets and protest against the Ayatollahs.

Iran's national broadcasting authority confirmed the disruption, blaming Israel in an official statement: "If you see unrelated footage, it is the result of satellite signal interference by the Zionist enemy."

While Israel officially maintains that regime change is not one of its stated war goals, the messaging and symbolism suggest a strategic effort to stir dissent inside Iran as military operations intensify.

The hack was reportedly executed via satellite manipulation, targeting households using satellite receivers rather than terrestrial broadcast networks.

This comes amid a broader wave of reported cyberattacks on Iranian infrastructure. Just a day prior, Iranian citizens reported being unable to withdraw cash from Sepah Bank ATMs, a bank tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

The "Predatory Sparrow" hacking group claimed responsibility, saying the bank was being used to bypass international sanctions and fund missile and nuclear programs.

“This is the fate of any institution dedicated to sustaining the dictator’s terror fantasies,” the group said in a statement, also thanking unnamed “allies” for supporting the attack.

Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence officials continue to hint at further actions to come. Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, head of the IDF Intelligence Directorate, visited bases this week and praised troops for the "intelligence breakthrough" that enabled direct strikes on Iranian military command centers in Tehran.

“Soon, you’ll break through in other arenas as well,” he told them.