Fact Check: Iran retaliated with hundreds of missiles and drones after Israeli strikes

Fact Check: "Iran retaliated with hundreds of missiles and drones after Israeli strikes"

What We Know

Tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated significantly, particularly following a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites. Reports indicate that Israel launched a surprise attack on June 12, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of high-ranking Iranian military officials and extensive damage to Iran's military capabilities (Reuters). In response, Iran reportedly launched waves of ballistic missiles and drones aimed at various locations in Israel, including civilian areas (BBC, AP News).

Iran's military leadership has stated that they would intensify their attacks, with claims of launching "hundreds of drones" and a "more powerful" wave of missiles towards Israel (Reuters). The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that while many of these attacks were intercepted, some missiles did manage to hit their targets, causing civilian casualties and significant damage (BBC, CBS News).

Analysis

The claim that Iran retaliated with hundreds of missiles and drones is supported by multiple credible sources. The initial Israeli strikes prompted a robust military response from Iran, which included not only ballistic missiles but also drone attacks. The New York Times reported that Iranian missiles struck at least seven sites around Tel Aviv, resulting in injuries and damage. Furthermore, the Al Jazeera report corroborates that Iran's retaliatory strikes were extensive and included both missiles and drones, leading to a significant civilian toll.

The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they are established news organizations with a history of covering Middle Eastern conflicts. However, it is essential to note that reports from state-controlled Iranian media may present a biased perspective, emphasizing the scale of their military capabilities and downplaying civilian casualties on their side.

The IDF's acknowledgment of the interception of many missiles suggests that while Iran did launch a significant number of attacks, the effectiveness of Israel's defense systems mitigated the potential damage. Nevertheless, the reports of civilian casualties and infrastructure damage indicate that some missiles did penetrate Israeli defenses, aligning with the claim that Iran's retaliation was substantial (BBC, CBS News).

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The evidence supports the claim that Iran retaliated with hundreds of missiles and drones following Israeli strikes. Multiple credible sources confirm that Iran launched extensive attacks against Israel, resulting in civilian casualties and significant damage, despite the interception of many projectiles by Israeli defenses. The scale and intensity of Iran's response align with the claim made.

Fact Check: Iran retaliated with hundreds of missiles and drones after Israeli strikes