Fact Check: On Friday, Israel launched air strikes across Iran, targeting its underground nuclear site and killing at least 20 Iranian military commanders, including major general Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami.

Fact Check: "On Friday, Israel launched air strikes across Iran, targeting its underground nuclear site and killing at least 20 Iranian military commanders, including major general Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami."

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that Israel conducted air strikes targeting Iranian military leaders and nuclear sites. According to AP News, the strikes occurred early on a Friday and resulted in the deaths of at least two high-ranking Iranian military officers. However, the claim that 20 commanders were killed, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami, is not substantiated by the available evidence. The Washington Post and CNN corroborate that several Iranian military leaders were indeed targeted, but they do not confirm the specific numbers or the identities of all those killed.

Analysis

The claim that Israel killed "at least 20 Iranian military commanders" is exaggerated. While multiple sources confirm that Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of some Iranian military personnel, including high-ranking officials, the exact number reported varies significantly. For instance, CNN mentions the deaths of "some of Iran's most powerful men," but does not provide a specific count of 20. Furthermore, the claim regarding Major General Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami being killed is also unverified in the context of the recent strikes. The New York Times and Washington Post indicate that the strikes were retaliatory in nature, but they do not provide a comprehensive list of casualties.

The sources reporting on this incident vary in their reliability. Established news outlets like AP News, CNN, and The Washington Post are generally considered credible, but they also emphasize the evolving nature of the situation, suggesting that casualty figures may change as more information becomes available. The lack of corroboration from multiple independent sources regarding the specific claim of 20 commanders being killed raises questions about its accuracy.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that Israel launched air strikes across Iran, killing at least 20 Iranian military commanders, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami, is not supported by credible evidence. While there were indeed air strikes that resulted in casualties among Iranian military leaders, the specific numbers and identities mentioned in the claim are exaggerated and unverified.

Sources

1. Israel - The World Factbook
2. Israel – Wikipedia
3. Israel strikes Iran's nuclear sites and kills top generals
4. Iranian missiles target Israel in retaliation for earlier strikes
5. Israel country profile - BBC News
6. Explosions and Buzzing Drones Heard as Israel and Iran
7. Israeli strikes kill some of Iran's most powerful men
8. The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and …