Fact Check: "Later Friday, Iran retaliated against Israel by firing ballistic missiles toward Tel Aviv."
What We Know
On Friday, June 13, 2025, Iran launched a significant retaliatory attack against Israel, firing ballistic missiles toward various targets, including Tel Aviv. This action was described as part of "Operation Severe Punishment," which was a direct response to Israeli airstrikes that had resulted in the deaths of senior Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists (Washington Post, AP News). Reports indicate that Iran fired over 100 missiles during this attack, and explosions were reported in multiple locations across Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem (Reuters, Washington Post).
Israeli defense systems, including the Iron Dome, were activated to intercept some of these missiles, and there were visible explosions in the skies over Tel Aviv (New York Times). While the Israeli military reported that many missiles were intercepted, some did reach their targets, resulting in injuries among civilians (AP News, Reuters).
Analysis
The claim that Iran retaliated against Israel by firing ballistic missiles toward Tel Aviv is supported by multiple credible sources. The Washington Post and AP News provide detailed accounts of the missile strikes, confirming that Iran's actions were a direct response to prior Israeli attacks that had inflicted significant casualties on Iranian military personnel.
The reliability of these sources is high; both are well-established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting on international conflicts. The Reuters report corroborates the missile launches and the context of retaliation, further strengthening the claim's validity.
However, it is important to note that the number of missiles fired and their effectiveness varied according to different reports. For example, while some sources indicated that Iran launched over 100 missiles, others suggested that fewer than 100 were actually fired, with many being intercepted (Reuters). This discrepancy highlights the chaotic nature of the situation and the challenges in obtaining precise figures during active military engagements.
Conclusion
The claim that Iran retaliated against Israel by firing ballistic missiles toward Tel Aviv is True. Multiple credible sources confirm that Iran launched a significant missile attack as a direct response to Israeli strikes that resulted in Iranian casualties. The context of the attack, the operational name "Operation Severe Punishment," and the reports of missile interceptions all align with the claim, affirming its accuracy.
Sources
- Iranian missile attack hits Tel Aviv in retaliation for Israeli ...
- Iran and Israel say a new wave of Iranian missile attacks ...
- Iran strikes back at Israel with missiles over Jerusalem, Tel ...
- Iran retaliates against Israel with barrage of ballistic missiles
- Live Updates: Iranian Missiles Hit Multiple Sites in Tel Aviv
