All displays of physical contact between men and women is forbidden on the Islamic republic’s official TV networks.

In a Thursday broadcast, the Nasim entertainment channel showed a young couple kissing for a few seconds at a park, as they were passing in front of a hidden camera recording a prank show.

In a statement published by the ISNA news agency on Friday, Nasim apologised for an “error that resulted from the negligence of the production team”.

It added the channel “will firmly handle those responsible for the negligence following an inquiry”.

In 2021, two presenters on state television – husband and wife – apologised after hugging each other during a live broadcast, spurring controversy.

The two said they had been unaware they were on air.