Fact Check: Iran began retaliatory strikes against Israel on June 13, 2023, targeting cities including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa with ballistic missiles and drones.

Fact Check: "Iran began retaliatory strikes against Israel on June 13, 2023, targeting cities including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa with ballistic missiles and drones."

What We Know

The claim states that Iran initiated retaliatory strikes against Israel on June 13, 2023, using ballistic missiles and drones to target major cities such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. However, the timeline and details surrounding these events suggest inaccuracies.

1. Timeline of Events: According to reports, the retaliatory strikes from Iran occurred on June 14, 2025, not June 13, 2023. The strikes were in response to Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, which happened on June 13, 2025 (AP News, BBC).

2. Targets of the Strikes: Iranian missiles did indeed target cities in Israel, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, but the claims about Jerusalem being specifically targeted are less clear. Reports confirm that missiles struck areas around Tel Aviv and Haifa, causing casualties and damage (Reuters, Wikipedia).

3. Nature of the Strikes: The Iranian response included a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones, with reports indicating that over 100 missiles were launched towards Israel (BBC, AP News).

Analysis

The claim that Iran began retaliatory strikes on June 13, 2023, is misleading due to the following reasons:

• Incorrect Date: The events described actually took place in June 2025, which is a significant discrepancy. The confusion may arise from the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, but the specific date is crucial for accuracy (Wikipedia).

• Verification of Targets: While it is confirmed that Iranian missiles targeted Tel Aviv and Haifa, the assertion that Jerusalem was specifically targeted lacks definitive evidence in the sources reviewed. The focus appears to be primarily on the northern and central regions of Israel (Reuters, CBS News).

• Source Reliability: The sources used in this analysis, including major news outlets like AP News, BBC, and Reuters, are generally considered reliable and provide corroborated information about the events. They report on the escalation of conflict and the nature of the attacks, which adds to the credibility of the claims regarding the missile strikes but not the date of June 13, 2023 (AP News, BBC, Reuters).

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that "Iran began retaliatory strikes against Israel on June 13, 2023" is false due to the incorrect date and lack of specific evidence regarding the targeting of Jerusalem. The retaliatory strikes occurred on June 14, 2025, and while they did target cities including Tel Aviv and Haifa, the assertion about Jerusalem is not substantiated by the available evidence.

Sources

1. Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear sites and kills top generals. ...
2. Iran missiles cause multiple casualties after strikes in Israel
3. Iranian state broadcaster hit as Iran urges Trump to make ...
4. June 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran
5. Iran strikes back at Israel with missiles over Jerusalem, Tel ...
6. Iran hits Israel with a second wave of missiles | AP News
7. Israel and Iran Trade Attacks on 4th Day of Conflict
8. Iran launches missiles at Israel, and some hit Tel Aviv, as Israel ...