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 14, 2025, Iran's state news agency, IRNA, reported that Tehran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel as a response to Israeli airstrikes that targeted Iranian military leaders and nuclear facilities. This escalation followed a series of Israeli attacks that reportedly killed several high-ranking Iranian officials and damaged critical infrastructure, including the Natanz nuclear site (New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters). The Iranian operation was termed "Operation Severe Punishment," and it involved the launch of over 100 drones in addition to the missile strikes (Reuters).
Analysis
The claim that IRNA reported the launch of hundreds of ballistic missiles is corroborated by multiple credible sources. The New York Times and Reuters both confirm that Iran's missile retaliation was a direct response to Israeli strikes that had resulted in significant casualties among Iranian military leadership. The reports indicate that the missile attacks were part of a broader military strategy aimed at countering Israeli operations and asserting Iran's military capabilities.
The reliability of the sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of reporting on Middle Eastern conflicts. However, it is important to note that state media, such as IRNA, may have inherent biases, particularly in the context of military actions. While IRNA's reports are often aligned with government narratives, the corroboration from independent news outlets adds credibility to the claim.
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 is supported by multiple credible news reports that confirm the missile launches as part of Iran's military response to Israeli airstrikes, which had resulted in significant Iranian casualties and damage to military infrastructure.
