Fact Check: "IDF destroyed two-thirds of Iran's ballistic missile launchers."
What We Know
Recent reports from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicate that they have destroyed approximately one-third of Iran's ballistic missile launchers, not two-thirds as claimed. According to a report from the Jerusalem Post, the IDF stated that they had successfully targeted and destroyed a significant portion of Iran's missile launcher infrastructure following a series of airstrikes. The report also mentioned that Iran was only able to fire around half of the missiles it had intended to launch against Israel during a recent conflict, suggesting that the operational capacity of Iran's missile forces has been impacted, but not to the extent claimed in the assertion.
Additionally, a special report from the Critical Threats Project noted that while the IDF has been actively targeting Iranian missile capabilities, the extent of destruction reported does not support the claim of two-thirds being destroyed. Instead, the focus has been on degrading Iran's missile capabilities through targeted strikes.
Analysis
The claim that the IDF has destroyed two-thirds of Iran's ballistic missile launchers is not supported by the available evidence. The IDF's own statements, as reported by multiple sources, consistently indicate that the destruction is closer to one-third. For instance, a report from Global Defense Corp corroborates the IDF's assertion of having destroyed over one-third of the missile launchers, which directly contradicts the claim of two-thirds.
Furthermore, the reliability of the sources reporting on this issue is critical. The Jerusalem Post and the Times of Israel are established news outlets with a history of covering military and geopolitical events in the region. Their reports are based on official statements from the IDF, which lends credibility to their claims. In contrast, the claim of two-thirds destruction appears to lack direct attribution to credible sources or official statements from the IDF.
It is also important to consider the context of military operations. The IDF's ongoing campaign against Iranian missile capabilities is part of a broader conflict, and the situation is fluid. Therefore, claims about the extent of destruction can often be exaggerated or misinterpreted in the heat of ongoing military engagements.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that the IDF has destroyed two-thirds of Iran's ballistic missile launchers is not substantiated by credible evidence. Reports from reliable sources indicate that the IDF has destroyed approximately one-third of these launchers, making the claim significantly overstated. The discrepancy highlights the importance of verifying military claims against official statements and established reporting.
Sources
- Israel destroyed a third of Iran's ballistic missile launchers, IDF says. Jerusalem Post
- Iranian missile launchers destroyed by IDF. Global Defense Corp
- Iran Update Special Report, June 21, 2025, Morning Edition. Understanding War
- PM: Israel will 'hit all nuclear facilities,' has destroyed half of ... Times of Israel
- Iran fires 6-7 missiles at Israel over 40 minutes; IDF targets ... Times of Israel
