Fact Check: "Following the Israeli strikes on June 13, 2023, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei appointed new military commanders and stated that life would turn bleak for Israel."
What We Know
On June 13, 2023, Israel conducted a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian military leaders and nuclear facilities, resulting in significant casualties, including the deaths of high-ranking officials such as Major General Mohammad Bagheri and Major General Hossein Salami. In response to these attacks, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, appointed new military commanders to replace those who were killed. Major General Mohammad Pakpour was named the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), while Major General Abdulrahim Mousavi took over as chief of the armed forces general staff (source).
In a televised address, Khamenei stated that the Israeli regime had made a "grave mistake" and warned that the consequences would render Israel helpless. He asserted, "Life will undoubtedly turn bleak for them," emphasizing that Iran would take strong action against Israel in retaliation for the strikes (source, source).
Analysis
The claim that Khamenei appointed new military commanders and stated that life would turn bleak for Israel is supported by multiple sources. Reports confirm that following the Israeli strikes, Khamenei swiftly appointed new leaders to key military positions, indicating a strategic response to the loss of senior military personnel (source, source).
Khamenei's statements about Israel's future were also widely reported, with him explicitly stating that Israel would face dire consequences for its actions. His remarks were characterized as a declaration of impending retaliation, reinforcing the notion that Iran would not tolerate such attacks without a response (source, source).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with major news outlets and official Iranian news services reporting on the events. However, it is essential to note that Iranian state media may exhibit bias in framing the narrative, particularly in portraying the conflict with Israel. Despite this, the consistency across various reports lends credibility to the claim that Khamenei made these statements and appointments (source, source).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei appointed new military commanders following the Israeli strikes on June 13, 2023, and stated that life would turn bleak for Israel is accurate. Multiple credible sources confirm both the appointments and Khamenei's statements regarding the consequences for Israel, supporting the assertion that Iran is preparing for a robust response to the recent military actions.
Sources
- Iran appoints new commanders after Israeli strikes kill top military brass
- In televised message to nation, Leader says life will turn bleak for Israel
- Leader appoints new top military brass
- Supreme National Security Council stresses continued strikes
- Leader appoints new top military brass - IRNA English
- Ayatollah Khamenei threatens Israel after strikes on Iran
- Iran names new military top brass after several commanders killed in Israeli airstrikes
- Iranian Armed Forces launch strikes on Israel
