Fact Check: "At least 224 people have been killed in Iran since Israel's first attack on June 9, 2023, according to Iranian state media."
What We Know
The claim that at least 224 people have been killed in Iran since Israel's attacks began on June 9, 2023, is supported by multiple sources. According to reports from Iranian state media, the Iranian health ministry confirmed that Israeli strikes resulted in at least 224 fatalities and over 1,400 injuries in Iran (source-1, source-4). This information has been corroborated by various international news outlets, including the Washington Post and NPR, which also reported the same death toll from the Iranian health ministry (source-3, source-5).
Analysis
The sources reporting the death toll are credible and well-established news organizations. The New York Times, Washington Post, and NPR are known for their rigorous journalistic standards and fact-checking processes. The information regarding the casualties has been attributed to the Iranian health ministry, which adds a level of official verification to the claim.
However, it is important to note that the Iranian government has a history of controlling information and may present figures that align with its narrative. While the reported numbers from the health ministry are consistent across multiple sources, the context of the ongoing conflict and the potential for propaganda must be considered when evaluating the reliability of these figures.
Despite this, the consistency of the reported death toll across various independent news outlets lends credibility to the claim. The reports indicate that the situation is dire, with significant civilian casualties on both sides of the conflict, which has escalated since the attacks began (source-2, source-7).
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The claim that at least 224 people have been killed in Iran since Israel's first attack on June 9, 2023, is substantiated by multiple credible sources, including reports from the Iranian health ministry and corroborating international news outlets. While the potential for bias exists, the consistency of the information across independent sources supports the accuracy of the claim.
Sources
- Live Updates: Israel, Expanding Targets, Strikes Iranian State TV
- Israel Strikes Iran State TV After Telling People to Evacuate ...
- Israel-Iran conflict live updates: Trump says 'everyone ...
- Israel and Iran exchange more attacks - The Washington Post
- Israel and Iran trade more strikes on third day of fighting
- Who were the Iranian commanders killed in Israel's attack? - BBC
- Live updates: Israel claims aerial superiority over Tehran as Iran ...
- Israel strikes Iranian state TV in new attack on Tehran