Fact Check: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on October 23, 2023, that Iran’s state television and radio were 'about to disappear' and that evacuation warnings were issued for the district in Tehran where the broadcaster is based.

Fact Check: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz's Statement on Iran's State TV

What We Know

On October 23, 2023, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made a statement regarding Iran's state television and radio, claiming they were "about to disappear." This statement coincided with evacuation warnings issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for a district in Tehran where the broadcaster is located. Reports indicate that Israeli missiles struck the Iranian state television facility shortly after these warnings were issued, temporarily interrupting a live broadcast as the studio filled with smoke (source-3, source-6).

Analysis

The claim made by Katz aligns with the events that unfolded on the same day. His assertion that Iran's state media was "about to disappear" reflects a broader Israeli strategy to undermine Iranian influence and capabilities, particularly in light of ongoing military tensions between the two nations. The evacuation order issued by the IDF was a precautionary measure aimed at protecting civilians in the area targeted for airstrikes (source-3, source-6).

The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident varies. Major news outlets like the Financial Times and Barron's provided detailed coverage of the events, making them credible sources. However, the context of Katz's statement should also be considered, as it is part of a larger narrative of conflict between Israel and Iran, which may influence the framing of the information (source-3, source-6).

Conclusion

The claim that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on October 23, 2023, that Iran’s state television and radio were "about to disappear" is True. This statement was made in the context of military actions taken by Israel against Iranian targets, specifically following the issuance of evacuation warnings for areas in Tehran. The corroborating reports from multiple credible sources confirm the accuracy of Katz's statement and the events surrounding it.

Sources

1. Israel – Wikipedia
2. Iran strikes back at Israel with missiles over Jerusalem, Tel Aviv
3. Israel strikes Iranian state TV after issuing Tehran evacuation order
4. Israel says Iran's state TV and radio 'about to disappear'
5. The Times of Israel | News from Israel, the Middle East and the …
6. Iran State TV, Radio 'About To Disappear': Israel Defence Minister
7. Israel strikes Iranian state TV in new attack on Tehran
8. Waves of airstrikes in Israel and Iran as exchange of fire enters ...