Fact Check: Iran Condemns Israel's Attack on IRIB State Television as a 'War Crime'
What We Know
On October 20, 2023, Israel conducted an airstrike on the IRIB state television building in Tehran during a live broadcast. The attack resulted in significant damage, with reports indicating that the building was hit by four bombs, leading to an evacuation warning issued by the Israeli military for the surrounding area (source-1). Following the strike, Esmaeil Baqaei, a spokesman for the Iranian foreign minister, condemned the attack, labeling it a "wicked act of war crime" and called for the international community to demand justice from Israel (source-3). This condemnation was echoed by various media outlets, which reported on the incident and the Iranian government's response (source-4).
Analysis
The claim that Iran condemned the attack as a "war crime" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press reported on Baqaei's statement, emphasizing the call for international action against Israel for what was described as an attack on a media outlet during a live broadcast (source-3). Additionally, the Washington Post highlighted the nature of the attack and the Iranian government's immediate response, reinforcing the characterization of the strike as a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict (source-4).
The reliability of these sources is high; both the Associated Press and the Washington Post are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. They provide a balanced view of the events, including the context of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which adds to the credibility of the information presented.
Conclusion
The claim that Iran condemned Israel's attack on the IRIB state television building as a "war crime" and called for action from the United Nations on October 20, 2023, is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that the Iranian government reacted strongly to the airstrike, characterizing it as a violation of international norms and calling for accountability.
Sources
- Israel Strikes Iran State TV After Telling People to Evacuate
- Live Updates: Israel, Expanding Targets, Strikes Iranian State TV
- Israel strikes Iranian state TV during live broadcast
- Israeli strike on Iranian state TV fills studio with dust and debris
- Israel bombs Iran's state TV after threatening it would 'disappear'