Fact Check: Iran’s U.N. ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded in Israeli attacks.

What We Know

On June 13, 2025, Iran's U.N. ambassador reported that 78 people were killed and over 320 were wounded as a result of Israeli airstrikes targeting various locations in Iran, including military and nuclear sites (The Guardian, Seattle Times). These claims were echoed by multiple sources, including the Times of Israel, which confirmed the reported casualties and noted that the majority of those killed were senior military officials (Times of Israel).

The strikes were part of a broader military engagement between Israel and Iran, with reports indicating that Israel had launched attacks on Iranian military leaders and critical infrastructure (The Guardian). Eyewitness accounts described chaotic scenes in Iran, with explosions and significant damage reported in urban areas (The Guardian).

Analysis

The claim made by Iran's U.N. ambassador has been corroborated by several credible news outlets, including Reuters and The Guardian. These sources are generally considered reliable, as they have established editorial standards and fact-checking protocols. The reports from these outlets align with the information provided by the Iranian government, which is known to have a vested interest in portraying the impact of Israeli strikes in a particular light.

However, it is important to note that while the numbers reported by the Iranian ambassador are consistent across multiple sources, the Iranian government has been known to exaggerate casualty figures for propaganda purposes (JForum). This potential bias necessitates a cautious interpretation of the data. Nevertheless, the consistency of the reports from independent news organizations lends credibility to the claim.

Furthermore, the context of the conflict—ongoing military engagements and retaliatory strikes—supports the likelihood of significant casualties. The Israeli military's acknowledgment of the strikes and their targets further corroborates the ambassador's statement (The Guardian, Seattle Times).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Iran's U.N. ambassador stated 78 people were killed and over 320 wounded in Israeli attacks is supported by multiple credible sources. While there is potential for exaggeration in the figures reported by the Iranian government, the consistency of the reports from reputable news organizations confirms the ambassador's statement. Given the context of ongoing military actions and the nature of the targets, the reported casualties appear plausible.

Fact Check: Iran’s U.N. ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded in Israeli attacks.