Fact Check: "Iran's health ministry reported that the death toll from Israeli strikes on Iran had reached 224 people as of Sunday."
What We Know
On June 15, 2025, multiple news outlets reported that Iran's health ministry stated that the death toll from Israeli strikes had reached 224 people since the beginning of the conflict on June 13, 2025. The health ministry also indicated that 1,277 individuals were hospitalized, with over 90% of the casualties being civilians (AP News, Washington Post, BBC). This figure was corroborated by various sources, including the BBC and NPR, which noted the increase in reported deaths from 128 to 224 over a short period (BBC, NPR).
Analysis
The claim that Iran's health ministry reported a death toll of 224 people is supported by multiple reputable sources. The Associated Press and Washington Post both directly quoted Iranian Health Ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour, confirming the reported figures (AP News, Washington Post). The BBC also provided context by mentioning the rapid increase in the death toll, indicating a reliable tracking of the situation (BBC).
While the Iranian government is often scrutinized for its transparency and reliability, the consistency of the reports across various independent news organizations lends credibility to the claim. Furthermore, the NPR report corroborated the figures, emphasizing that the death toll was part of a broader narrative of escalating violence between Israel and Iran (NPR).
However, it is important to note that casualty figures in conflict zones can be difficult to verify independently due to the chaotic nature of such environments and potential political motivations behind the numbers provided by governments.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The claim that Iran's health ministry reported a death toll of 224 people from Israeli strikes is substantiated by multiple credible sources, including the Associated Press, Washington Post, BBC, and NPR. The consistency of these reports across various platforms reinforces the reliability of the information.
