Viewers of Sky News Australia were taken aback when host Rita Panahi delivered a passionate and fiery condemnation of Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, shortly after reports confirmed his death. During a broadcast segment, Panahi expressed her sentiments in Persian, declaring, “You son of a b—h, shame on you, burn in hell!” This moment gained significant traction on social media, amassing over 100,000 views within hours.
The segment, titled “RITA’S TAKE ON STRIKES ON IRAN,” aired on March 15, 2024, following the announcement of Khamenei’s death during a coordinated military operation by the United States and Israel. Panahi began her commentary with the assertion that, after 47 years of what she described as Islamist tyranny, the dictator was dead, and Iran was on the cusp of liberation. She expressed disbelief at witnessing such a pivotal moment in her lifetime.
Following the military action, which Iranian state media and Western reports have termed “Operation Epic Fury,” details emerged about a sophisticated assault that targeted Khamenei’s fortified compound in central Tehran. The operation involved coordinated air and missile strikes, utilizing real-time intelligence concerning a rare meeting of senior regime officials. Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed Khamenei’s death, with reports indicating that approximately 40 senior Iranian officials were also killed in the attack.
Panahi, a well-known conservative commentator and host of “The Rita Panahi Show,” has a personal history that informs her views. Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Iranian parents, she spent her early years in Tehran before her family fled to Australia as refugees in 1984. Throughout her career, she has been vocal about her opposition to the Iranian regime, particularly regarding its treatment of women.
The on-air outburst was one of Panahi’s most direct critiques of the Iranian leadership. Seated with two male panelists, she delivered her remarks in Persian, while the show’s branding—“REAL NEWS, HONEST VIEWS”—was prominently displayed. It remains unclear whether her commentary was live or pre-recorded.
Sky News Australia has yet to issue a public statement regarding the clip, which has since gone viral. Panahi commands a significant following on social media, with over 500,000 followers on X. Her commentary often intertwines foreign policy, cultural issues, and sharp critiques of progressive politics.
This incident marks another chapter in a career that has not been without controversy. Panahi previously faced backlash over a 2015 column criticizing Islam and a 2024 on-air correction related to a false claim linked to a U.S. political advertisement.
As discussions around Khamenei’s assassination continue to unfold, Panahi’s remarks highlight the deep emotions and complex narratives surrounding the future of Iran.
