Fact Check: Israel Attacks Iranian Nuclear Facilities with Drones and Warplanes
What We Know
Recent reports confirm that Israel has conducted significant military operations targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. According to AP News, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on June 12, 2025, deploying both drones and warplanes to attack key sites within Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure. The operation, named "Rising Lion," aimed to preemptively thwart Iran's potential development of nuclear weapons. The strikes resulted in the destruction of facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, and reportedly killed several high-ranking Iranian military officials (Reuters).
The Israeli military stated that approximately 200 aircraft were involved in these operations, targeting around 100 sites across Iran. The strikes were characterized as a necessary measure to ensure Israel's survival against perceived threats from Iran's nuclear ambitions (AP News).
In retaliation, Iran launched over 100 drones and missiles towards Israel, leading to significant exchanges of fire between the two nations (NPR).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities with drones and warplanes is robust. Multiple reputable sources, including Reuters and AP News, provide detailed accounts of the military operations, including the specific targets and the scale of the attacks. The involvement of advanced military technology, such as precision-guided missiles and drones, underscores the sophistication of the Israeli military's approach.
However, it is important to note that while Israeli officials assert the necessity of these strikes to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, independent assessments, including those from U.S. intelligence, suggest that Iran was not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon at the time of the attacks (AP News). This discrepancy raises questions about the motivations behind the strikes and the potential for bias in the narratives presented by the involved parties.
The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they include established news agencies with a track record of accurate reporting. However, the political context surrounding these events—particularly the ongoing tensions between Israel, Iran, and the U.S.—may influence how information is framed and reported.
Conclusion
The claim that Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities with drones and warplanes is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Israel executed a significant military operation targeting Iran's nuclear capabilities, employing advanced military technology and resulting in notable casualties and damage. While the justification for these strikes may be contested, the factual occurrence of the attacks is well-documented.
