Iran's official TV is hacked and broadcasts the slogan "Death to Khamenei". Video

Multiple channels of Iranian state TV were hacked Thursday, broadcasting pictures of the leaders of an opposition group in exile, drawing a "Death to Khamenei" call.

The website of the "National Council of Resistance of Iran" said that "the first channel of the regime's TV was hacked," as well as dozens of broadcasting stations belonging to the mullahs' regime.

For several seconds, flashes and graphics cut off the live television broadcast, and suddenly the images of the leader of the People's Mujahedin, Massoud Rajavi, and his wife, Maryam Rajavi, appeared, accompanied by the voice of a man chanting "Salute to the wish of death to Khamenei."

After that, Rajavi's voice was briefly broadcast on the photos, where he could be heard saying, "We still respect the covenant in which we declared death to the reactionary," referring to Khamenei.

Massoud Rajavi has not been seen in public for nearly two decades and is presumed to have died, while his wife, Maryam Rajavi, runs the MKO.

The name of an account on social media also appeared, claiming to be a group of hackers who broadcast this message.

Shahin Ghobadi, a spokesman for the People's Mojahedin Organization in Paris, later told the Associated Press, "We, like you, just reported this case."

He said, "It seems that this was carried out by supporters of the People's Mujahedin Organization and the resistance units within the regime's radio and television stations," without directly claiming responsibility.

The hack represents a major event, as it has long been believed that members of the Islamic Republic's intelligence branches, particularly the hardline Revolutionary Guards, are running the television.

Iranian state television said the authorities would investigate the incident.

The hack, apparently, was the latest in a series of embarrassing cyber attacks against the Islamic Republic as world powers struggle to revive Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers.

Last October, an attack on Iran's fuel distribution system paralyzed gas stations across the country, creating long queues of angry motorists.

Another cyber attack on Iran's railway system caused chaos and delays on trains.

Another hacker leaked footage of the abuse at the notorious Evin prison.

Iran, which has long been sanctioned by the West, has struggled to obtain updated hardware and software, often relying on electronics manufactured in China or outdated systems.

Some control room systems in Iran run on Windows 7, for which Microsoft no longer provides patches.

This would make it easier for a potential hacker to target.

Pirated versions of Windows and other software are common throughout Iran.

Reda Al-Adadi, a senior official on state television, said the attack may have involved help from foreigners.

"It appears that the incident is not a simple one and it is a complex task that (only) technology owners can use," he said, without going into details.

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