STORY: An Iranian state TV presenter fired at a UAE flag during a live broadcast on Friday (May 15), while speaking with a firearms trainer in the studio.

Footage from a programme on the Ofogh channel showed an instructional segment on handling a Kalashnikov rifle, in which a masked trainer in military-style clothing demonstrated how to prepare and fire the weapon to the host.

Local media reported that the segments were linked to the presenters' readiness to volunteer in a 'Sacrifice Life for Iran' campaign. Over 31 million people have already signed up for the voluntary programme in response to the war with U.S. and Israel, according to reports.

Iran's strikes on Gulf states in response to the U.S.-Israeli attacks have targeted the UAE more than its neighbours, hitting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities.

The UAE has responded by doubling down on its ties with the United States and with Israel, with which it normalized relations in the 2020 Abraham Accords. It has pushed for a tough line in any peace negotiations with Iran.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: TEHRAN, IRAN (MAY 15, 2026) (POOL VIA WANA - No use BBC Persian. No use VOA Persian. No use Manoto. No use Iran International. No use Radio Farda)

1. UNIDENTIFIED IRAN STATE TV PRESENTER AND LIVE FIREARMS TRAINER, TALKING IN STUDIO

2. HANDS HOLDING RIFLE

3. TRAINER

4. PRESENTER COCKING GUN

5. TRAINER TALKING TO PRESENTER

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) UNIDENTIFIED IRAN STATE TV PRESENTER, HOLDING GUN, AND UNIDENTIFIED TRAINER, SAYING (SOUNDBITE STARTS ON PRESENTER HOLDING UP RIFLE AND CHECKING HIS LINE OF SIGHT):

PRESENTER: "I'm ready."

TRAINER: "Establish your sight alignment."

PRESENTER: "Yes. Let me aim at the UAE flag."

TRAINER: "Well done."

PRESENTER: "Alright."

TRAINER: "Establish your sight alignment. Hold your breath. In the name of God."

PRESENTER: "In the name of God."

TRAINER: "Fire."

PRESENTER: "Should I test it? What should I do?"

TRAINER: "Test it."

/ PRESENTER FIRING GUN AT UAE FLAG

TRAINER: "Alright."

PRESENTER: "Seyed... The microphone sound parameter."

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) UNIDENTIFIED IRAN STATE TV PRESENTERS, HOLDING GUNS, SAYING:

PRESENTER 1: "He got excited again - come on, alright."

PRESENTER 2: "It's here, though it's not a Bren gun."

PRESENTER 1: "Why are you pointing it at people?"

PRESENTER 2: "Can you fire one-handed? Like this?"

PRESENTER 1: "No, it's loaded? Hey, don't do anything."

PRESENTER 2: "Come on, I know it's loaded."