"Tehran is the Capital of Lebanon".. A French Presenter’s Gaffe Ignites Social Media
March 8, 2026473 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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The French presenter Émilie Brousseau topped the trends on social media after making a gaffe during a live broadcast, where she mistakenly referred to the Lebanese capital Beirut as "Tehran," sparking a wave of ridicule and angry and bewildered comments from viewers.
The Gaffe on Air
The incident occurred during the coverage by the French channel BFMTV of the security situation in Lebanon due to the recent Israeli escalation. The reporter in Beirut asked about the situation, to which the presenter replied: "So you are in the Iranian capital… oh, Lebanese, excuse me… Tehran."
The video spread widely, with the audience reacting notably, ranging from mocking the mistake to appreciating the pressure broadcasters face while covering conflicts in war-torn areas.
Context of Events in the Middle East
The gaffe comes amid rising tensions in the region since February 28, when Iran, Israel, and the United States entered into direct military confrontation. The American and Israeli strikes targeted hundreds of sites within Iran, while Tehran retaliated by targeting several Gulf countries under the pretext of the presence of American bases, in addition to missile and drone operations towards Iraq and Jordan.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah participated in the escalation by launching rockets and drones at Israel, leading to a wave of Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
