Fact Check: Iran’s state news agency IRNA said hundreds of ballistic missiles had been launched in retaliation for Israel’s strikes.

Fact Check: "Iran’s state news agency IRNA said hundreds of ballistic missiles had been launched in retaliation for Israel’s strikes."

What We Know

On June 12, 2025, Iran's state news agency, IRNA, reported that Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles towards Israel as a response to Israeli airstrikes that targeted Iranian military leaders and nuclear facilities. This military operation was referred to as “Operation Severe Punishment” by Iranian officials (Reuters, Washington Post). The strikes were described as a direct retaliation for Israel's earlier attacks, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of several Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists (AP News, CNN).

According to various reports, the missile barrage resulted in significant explosions across Israel, particularly in Tel Aviv, where sirens were activated as a warning to civilians (NBC News, Al Jazeera). The Israeli military confirmed that they were intercepting incoming missiles using their Iron Dome defense system, which is designed to protect against such aerial threats (CBS News).

Analysis

The claim that Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles in retaliation for Israeli strikes is corroborated by multiple reputable sources. The initial report from IRNA, which is a state-run news agency, is supported by coverage from international news outlets such as Reuters, the Washington Post, and CNN. These sources reported similar details regarding the scale of the missile launch and the context of the retaliatory strikes (Reuters, Washington Post, CNN).

However, it is important to consider the reliability of the sources. While IRNA is a state-controlled agency and may present information with a bias favorable to the Iranian government, the corroboration from independent international news organizations lends credibility to the claim. The reports from these outlets also included statements from military officials and eyewitness accounts, which further substantiate the occurrence of the missile launches and the context in which they happened (AP News, NBC News).

Moreover, the situation is dynamic and ongoing, with updates being reported in real-time, which suggests that the information is being closely monitored and verified by multiple parties (Al Jazeera, CBS News).

Conclusion

The claim that "Iran’s state news agency IRNA said hundreds of ballistic missiles had been launched in retaliation for Israel’s strikes" is True. This conclusion is based on consistent reporting from multiple credible sources, including both Iranian state media and independent international news organizations, confirming the missile launches and their context as a response to Israeli military actions.

Fact Check: Iran’s state news agency IRNA said hundreds of ballistic missiles had been launched in retaliation for Israel’s strikes.