Fact Check: "610 people killed in Iran during 12 days of Israeli airstrikes, health ministry reports"
What We Know
The claim that "610 people were killed in Iran during 12 days of Israeli airstrikes" is supported by multiple reports from the Iranian Ministry of Health. According to a spokesperson for the ministry, as of June 24, 2025, at least 610 civilians had been killed and over 4,700 injured due to the airstrikes that began on June 13, 2025 (source-5, source-6. The Ministry of Health had previously reported a lower toll of 224 casualties, indicating that the situation was rapidly evolving and the numbers were expected to increase as more information became available (source-2).
Reports from various sources, including the Washington Post and Shafaq News, corroborate the high civilian toll, emphasizing that the casualties primarily consisted of non-combatants, as stated by Iranian officials (source-3).
Analysis
The claim of 610 casualties is substantiated by official statements from the Iranian Ministry of Health, which is a credible source in this context, given its role in reporting health-related statistics. However, there are several factors to consider regarding the reliability of these figures:
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Source Credibility: The Iranian government has a vested interest in portraying the impact of the conflict in a particular light, which may lead to inflated casualty figures. However, the consistency of reports across multiple independent sources lends some credibility to the numbers reported (source-5, source-6.
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Context of Reporting: The reports indicate that the strikes were aimed at military targets, but significant civilian casualties occurred due to the nature of the strikes, which hit residential areas (source-2). This context is crucial for understanding the reported figures.
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Evolution of Casualty Figures: The casualty numbers have been dynamic, with earlier reports indicating lower figures. This suggests that the situation was fluid, and as more data became available, the numbers were updated (source-2).
Given these considerations, while the claim is supported by credible sources, the potential for bias and the evolving nature of the conflict necessitate caution in fully accepting the figures without further verification.
Conclusion
The claim that "610 people were killed in Iran during 12 days of Israeli airstrikes" is Partially True. While there is substantial evidence from credible sources to support the reported casualty figures, the context of the reporting and the potential for bias from the Iranian government must be taken into account. The numbers reflect a tragic loss of civilian life, but they should be viewed within the broader context of the conflict and the challenges in verifying such figures.
Sources
- Israelis welcome return to normal life, but fears for Gaza ... Reuters
- Israeli Strikes Kill Civilians Across Iran The New York Times
- Israel-Iran ceasefire holds as region urges new round of ... The Washington Post
- Over 600 civilians killed in Iran during 12-day war with Israel Shafaq News
- Iranian Health Ministry Says 610 People Killed in Israeli War The Wall Street Journal
- Iran says 610 killed since start of war with Israel Dhaka Tribune
