Fact Check: An Israeli official stated that Israel does not typically kill political leaders and focuses on nuclear and military threats, as reported by CBS News on June 15, 2025.

Fact Check: "An Israeli official stated that Israel does not typically kill political leaders and focuses on nuclear and military threats, as reported by CBS News on June 15, 2025."

What We Know

The claim in question suggests that an Israeli official made a statement regarding Israel's military focus on nuclear and military threats rather than targeting political leaders. As of June 15, 2025, the context surrounding Israeli military actions against Iran has been intense, with reports indicating that Israel has engaged in significant military operations aimed at Iranian nuclear sites and military infrastructure (source-1, source-3).

During this period, U.S. officials, including former President Trump, reportedly advised against targeting Iranian leadership, emphasizing a preference for military actions that do not escalate to assassinations of political figures (source-4). However, there is no direct citation or evidence from CBS News or other reputable sources confirming that an Israeli official explicitly stated the claim as presented.

Analysis

The assertion that Israel does not typically kill political leaders is complex and requires careful examination of the context and reliability of sources. While it is true that Israel has historically focused its military operations on perceived threats, including nuclear capabilities of adversaries like Iran, the claim lacks direct attribution to a specific Israeli official or a clear statement made on June 15, 2025.

The sources available provide information about ongoing military operations and the strategic focus of Israel, but they do not confirm the specific wording of the claim. For instance, while Israeli military officials have discussed their operations targeting nuclear sites (source-6), there is no substantiation of a formal policy against targeting political leaders in the context of the current conflict.

Moreover, the reliability of sources varies. The New York Times and CBS News are generally considered credible, but the absence of a direct statement from a named Israeli official in the available reports raises questions about the accuracy of the claim. The context of military advice from U.S. officials adds another layer, indicating a strategic preference rather than a formal policy.

Conclusion

Verdict: Needs Research
The claim that an Israeli official stated Israel does not typically kill political leaders and focuses on nuclear and military threats lacks direct evidence from credible sources. While there are indications of military strategies and advice against targeting political figures, the specific statement attributed to an Israeli official remains unverified. Further investigation into official statements or reports from June 15, 2025, is necessary to confirm or refute this claim definitively.

Sources

1. Live Updates: Israel and Iran Trade New Attacks and Brace for More
2. Nations condemn Israeli minister's statement about dropping a nuclear ...
3. June 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran - Wikipedia
4. Trump told Israel not to kill Iran's supreme leader - POLITICO
5. Netanyahu gives statement on Israeli airstrikes against Iran
6. Iran confirms top officials killed after Israel targets nuclear sites ...
7. Iran launches missiles at Israel, and some hit Tel Aviv, as ...
8. How Israeli strikes have pushed Iran's leadership into a corner