Fact Check: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei personally ordered attacks against Israeli civilian population centers, as reported on October 15, 2023.

Fact Check: "Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei personally ordered attacks against Israeli civilian population centers, as reported on October 15, 2023."

What We Know

On October 15, 2023, reports emerged indicating that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had personally ordered missile strikes targeting Israeli civilian population centers. This claim was notably reported by The Jerusalem Post, which cited Israeli ministers as sources of this information. The context of these orders comes amid escalating military actions between Israel and Iran, particularly following a series of Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, which resulted in significant casualties and damage in both countries (The New York Times, Washington Post).

Iran's military response included launching missiles at various locations in Israel, which resulted in at least two fatalities and numerous injuries (NBC News). The Iranian government described these retaliatory actions as a necessary response to what they termed an act of war by Israel (The New York Times).

Analysis

The claim that Khamenei ordered attacks on Israeli civilian centers is supported by reports from multiple sources, including The Jerusalem Post, which specifically attributes this directive to Khamenei himself. However, the reliability of the sources reporting this information varies. The Jerusalem Post is generally considered a credible outlet, but it has been criticized in the past for potential biases against Iran ([source-4]).

Additionally, while the claim is corroborated by other reports, such as those from NBC News and The New York Times, it is essential to note that these reports primarily focus on the broader context of the conflict rather than providing direct quotes or evidence of Khamenei's specific orders ([source-1], [source-7]). The nature of military communications and the chaos of ongoing conflict can complicate the verification of such claims.

Moreover, the situation is fluid, with ongoing military actions and statements from both sides that may influence the narrative. For instance, Israeli officials have warned that Iran's actions represent a significant escalation, and they have vowed to respond decisively ([source-3], [source-1]). This ongoing conflict complicates the ability to ascertain the full truth behind the claims being made.

Conclusion

Needs Research. While there are credible reports suggesting that Ayatollah Khamenei ordered attacks on Israeli civilian centers, the evidence is primarily based on statements from Israeli officials and lacks direct confirmation from independent sources. The rapidly evolving nature of the conflict means that further verification is necessary to establish the accuracy of these claims. As the situation develops, more reliable information may emerge that could clarify the extent of Khamenei's involvement in directing military actions against Israel.

Sources

1. Explosions and Buzzing Drones Heard as Israel and Iran Exchange New ...
2. Trump rejected Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, US official ...
3. Iranian missiles target Israel in retaliation for earlier strikes
4. Iran's Ali Khamenei ordered attacks on Israeli civilian hubs | The ...
5. Iran: le leurre de « l’utilisation civile » de l’énergie nucléaire
6. Multiples explosions en Iran il y a une heure - JForum
7. Iran fires missiles at Israel in escalating conflict over nuclear site ...
8. Live updates: Iran retaliates against Israel for strikes on ...