Iranian state television has apologized for airing a brief clip of a couple sharing a kiss, local media reported on Friday. Public displays of physical contact between men and women are strictly prohibited on Iran’s official TV networks.
The Nasim entertainment channel mistakenly broadcasted a scene on Thursday in which a young couple kissed for a few seconds in a park.
A hidden camera captured the footage while filming a prank show called “The Four Incredibles.” The clip quickly went viral on social media.
The couple appeared on screen for around three seconds as they walked through a park in Tehran. Following the incident, Nasim issued a statement published by the ISNA news agency on Friday, apologizing for the “error that resulted from the negligence of the production team.” The channel assured it would “firmly handle those responsible for the negligence following an inquiry.”
In a similar incident in 2021, a husband and wife who were presenters on state television apologized for embracing each other during a live broadcast, sparking controversy. The couple claimed they were unaware they were on the air then.
