Fact Check: "Iran's missile response was equal to U.S. bombings on its nuclear sites."
What We Know
On June 22, 2025, the United States conducted significant airstrikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. This operation, codenamed "Midnight Hammer," involved 125 military aircraft and utilized 75 precision-guided weapons, including 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) designed to penetrate deep underground facilities (BBC). The U.S. claimed that these strikes severely damaged Iran's nuclear capabilities, with President Trump stating that the attacks caused "monumental damage" (BBC).
In response, Iran launched a barrage of missiles targeting Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, injuring at least 86 people (BBC). Iranian officials indicated that their military would consider a "proportionate response" to the U.S. strikes, emphasizing that they would not let the attacks go unanswered (Reuters).
Analysis
The claim that Iran's missile response was equal to the U.S. bombings can be evaluated from several angles. First, the scale and impact of the U.S. strikes were substantial, targeting critical nuclear infrastructure with advanced military technology. The use of MOPs, which are specifically designed for deep underground targets, indicates a high level of military capability and intent to inflict severe damage (Brookings).
On the other hand, Iran's missile response, while significant, was directed primarily at Israel and not at U.S. forces or assets. The Iranian missile barrage was a tactical response to the U.S. strikes but did not directly equate to the strategic military operation executed by the U.S. Furthermore, the Iranian government claimed that the facilities targeted by the U.S. had been evacuated prior to the strikes, suggesting that the actual impact on Iran's nuclear capabilities might have been mitigated (BBC).
The sources used in this analysis include reputable news organizations such as BBC, Brookings, and Reuters, which provide a comprehensive view of the events and their implications. However, some sources may exhibit bias based on their national perspectives, particularly in the context of U.S.-Iran relations.
Conclusion
The claim that "Iran's missile response was equal to U.S. bombings on its nuclear sites" is Partially True. While Iran did respond with a significant missile attack on Israel, the scale, intent, and strategic implications of the U.S. strikes were greater. The effectiveness of Iran's response in terms of military impact and deterrence remains uncertain, especially given the prior evacuation of the targeted sites. Thus, while both actions were significant, they were not equivalent in terms of military strategy or impact.
Sources
- What we know about US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites
- How do we know if US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities were successful?
- 4 things to know about the U.S. airstrikes on Iran
- World awaits Iranian response after US hits nuclear sites
- Live Updates: Trump Claims Success After U.S. Bombs ...
- United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites
- Here's how Iran could respond to US strikes on its nuclear sites
