“Chen Peisi” Posts Image of Iran’s Bombed State TV Building — 440,000 Views Spark Speculation

Photo included: Before and after of Iran's state broadcaster building following the airstrike (Image from the internet)

[People News] In the early hours of June 13 local time, Israel launched the “Rising Lion” operation, striking multiple locations within Iran. By June 20, the conflict had escalated into its seventh day. On June 16, Iran’s state television headquarters was bombed, forcing a live broadcast off the air and causing severe building damage. A user on X (formerly Twitter) under the name “Chen Peisi” reposted a before-and-after comparison image of the building, which has since attracted over 440,000 views and intense online discussion.

On the evening of June 16, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB was airing a live news program. Anchor Sahar Emami was passionately criticising Israel with emphatic gestures, saying, “What you see and hear is dust flying inside the studio.” Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the studio. Debris and dust fell as the screen went black. The live signal was cut, and Emami quickly fled. The broadcast was then switched to pre-recorded content. Iranian officials said the building was hit by four bombs. Some journalists were injured, though no specific casualty details were provided.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant claimed responsibility for the attack, labelling IRIB as a "propaganda and incitement tool of the Iranian regime." He also stated that the building had been used by Iranian armed forces for military purposes. Gallant had earlier warned that “Iran’s propaganda mouthpiece is about to disappear” and had advised residents in certain areas of Tehran to evacuate.

Shortly after, the X account named “Chen Peisi” posted a side-by-side image showing the ruins of IRIB after the bombing compared to its pre-attack state, captioning it: “Iran’s CCTV… once the Iranian Central Television.” From June 16 to 20, the post gained 440,000 views, sparking widespread online commentary:

  • “That was Iran’s Ministry of Propaganda. This bombing was absolutely justified.”

  • “The news became the news while it was being reported.”

  • “The mouthpiece is gone.” / “Time to pop the champagne.”

  • “Haha, when will the ‘Big Underpants’ be bombed? I’m eagerly waiting!”

  • “The base of lies, bombed to its deserved end. So when’s the turn for the Big Underpants?”

  • “We play shadow games, Iran plays in the open.”

  • “It’s coming soon.” / “Won’t be long.” / “Maybe tomorrow.”

  • “No need to bomb the ‘Big Underpants’—just go straight for Zhongnanhai and the 301 hospital for high-ranking cadres. That’ll ensure no innocent casualties.”

  • “Set a time during the Two Sessions. One pot, all stewed together.”

Scholar Wu Zuolai reposted the image with the caption: “When will Beijing’s Big Underpants get the same treatment?” This drew fierce backlash from nationalist trolls (“50-cent army”), who hurled insults en masse.

Wu replied: “The 50-centres are truly pitiful. The people at CCTV are part of the system, living in comfort. One sentence from them earns more than you could in ten thousand. If the building’s destroyed, you might actually get more funding—shouldn’t you be secretly happy?”

The “Chen Peisi” account on X remains a mystery, with many netizens asking if it’s the real Chen Peisi. This cannot be confirmed at present. However, his son, Chen Dayu, previously posted a video clarifying that the account is fake and impersonating his father.

Chen Peisi is a renowned Chinese comedian from the 1980s. In 1984, he rose to national fame with his partner Zhu Shimao in the CCTV Spring Festival Gala sketch Eating Noodles. In 1999, citing “clashing values,” Chen convinced Zhu to withdraw from the Spring Festival Gala that year.

Shortly afterwards, China International Television Corporation, a subsidiary of CCTV, published and sold VCDs of Chen and Zhu’s skits from past Galas without authorisation. In 2000, the two sued the company. The court ruled in their favour, ordering the company to stop infringing, issue a public apology, and pay them 333,293 yuan in damages. After that, Chen and Zhu were blacklisted by CCTV.

Regarding CCTV’s blacklisting, Chen said he had anticipated the consequences before filing the lawsuit, but had no regrets: “It’s only right for someone to fight for their lawful rights. If you can’t protect yourself, you don’t deserve to live in this world.”

In January 2015, Chen returned to CCTV with the self-directed drama What a Big Family, which aired on CCTV’s general channel.

(First published by People News)