Fact Check: "Iran's envoy to the UN security council reported that 78 people had been killed and over 320 injured in the Israeli attacks."
What We Know
On June 14, 2025, during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Iran's ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, reported that 78 people had been killed and over 320 injured as a result of Israeli attacks on Iranian targets. He emphasized that the "overwhelming majority" of the casualties were civilians, including women and children (NPR, AP News, Business Standard). This statement came in the context of escalating military actions between Iran and Israel, where Israel had conducted strikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites and military leaders, which Israel claimed were necessary for national security (NPR, Times of Israel).
Analysis
The claim made by Iran's envoy is corroborated by multiple reputable sources. For instance, both AP News and NPR reported the same figures regarding the death toll and injuries, indicating a consistent narrative across different media outlets. The reports highlight that the casualties included not only military personnel but also a significant number of civilians, which aligns with Iravani's assertion that the majority of the injured were non-combatants.
However, it is essential to consider the potential biases in the reporting. Iranian state media may have an incentive to exaggerate the impact of Israeli strikes to garner international sympathy and support. Conversely, Israeli sources may downplay the casualties to mitigate backlash against their military actions. The Times of Israel also reported similar figures but noted that the casualties included top military commanders, which could suggest a different framing of the events.
Despite these potential biases, the consistency of the reported figures across various independent and reputable news outlets lends credibility to the claim. The information provided by Iravani was not only reported by Iranian state media but also corroborated by international news organizations, which adds to its reliability.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "Iran's envoy to the UN security council reported that 78 people had been killed and over 320 injured in the Israeli attacks" is accurate. The figures provided by the Iranian ambassador have been reported consistently by multiple credible sources, confirming the reported casualties amidst the ongoing conflict. While there may be biases in the framing of the events, the core data regarding the casualties stands verified.
Sources
- 9 Iranian nuclear scientists killed in Israel's strikes on Iran
- Iran hits Israel with a second wave of missiles | AP News
- Iranian UN envoy claims 78 killed in Israeli strikes
- Iran: une cyberattaque de grande ampleur paralyse les banques
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