Fact Check: Israel launched air strikes across Iran on October 6, 2023, targeting Iran's underground nuclear site and killing at least 20 Iranian military commanders, including major general Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami.

Fact Check: Israel Launched Air Strikes Across Iran on October 6, 2023

What We Know

The claim states that Israel conducted air strikes across Iran on October 6, 2023, targeting Iran's underground nuclear site and resulting in the deaths of at least 20 Iranian military commanders, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami.

Recent reports indicate that Israel did indeed launch air strikes targeting Iranian military sites, including nuclear facilities. However, the number of casualties reported varies significantly. For instance, Iranian officials have claimed that these strikes killed at least two top military officers, but not 20 as the claim suggests (AP News, BBC). Furthermore, the context of these strikes seems to be part of an ongoing conflict rather than a singular, large-scale operation as implied by the claim.

Analysis

The reliability of the sources reporting on these events is crucial. The information regarding the air strikes comes from multiple news outlets, including AP News and BBC, which are generally considered credible. However, the claim that 20 commanders were killed appears to be exaggerated. Reports from AP News and BBC indicate that while there were casualties, the numbers do not support the claim of 20 deaths.

Moreover, the specific mention of Major General Mohammad Bagheri and Hossein Salami being killed is confirmed by some sources, but the overall casualty figures are inconsistent. For example, The New York Times and BBC report on the deaths of key military figures but do not corroborate the larger number of 20 commanders.

The discrepancy in casualty figures raises questions about the accuracy of the claim. It is essential to consider the potential for misinformation in conflict situations, where both sides may have reasons to inflate or downplay casualties for propaganda purposes.

Conclusion

The claim that Israel launched air strikes across Iran on October 6, 2023, targeting underground nuclear sites and killing at least 20 Iranian military commanders, is False. While there were indeed air strikes and some casualties, the number of commanders killed is significantly lower than claimed, and key figures mentioned were not all confirmed as deceased. The evidence suggests a more complex situation than the claim presents.

Sources

1. Israel - The World Factbook
2. Israel – Wikipedia
3. Live updates: Iran hits Israel with a second wave of missiles
4. Israel strikes Iran's nuclear sites and kills top generals
5. Iranian missiles target Israel in retaliation for earlier strikes
6. Who were the Iranian commanders killed in Israel's attack?
7. Israel country profile - BBC News
8. Who Are the Iranian Generals Killed by Israel? Here's What ...