Fact Check: On Friday, October 20, 2023, Israel launched air strikes against Iran, targeting its 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.

Fact Check: "On Friday, October 20, 2023, Israel launched air strikes against Iran, targeting its 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."

What We Know

On October 20, 2023, reports emerged regarding Israeli air strikes targeting Iranian military sites, including nuclear facilities. According to AP News, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that three high-ranking Iranian military leaders were killed in these strikes, specifically naming General Mohammad Bagheri and Hossein Salami as among the casualties. However, the total number of Iranian military commanders reported killed was significantly lower than the claim of "at least 20" mentioned in the original assertion.

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations stated that the strikes resulted in 78 deaths, but he emphasized that the majority of the victims were civilians, not military personnel (AP News). This suggests that while there were indeed fatalities, the claim regarding the specific number of military commanders killed is exaggerated.

Analysis

The claim that Israel killed "at least 20 Iranian military commanders" is not supported by credible evidence. The most reliable sources, including BBC and AP News, indicate that only three commanders were confirmed dead, which contradicts the assertion made in the claim. Furthermore, the context provided by the Iranian ambassador highlights that the majority of casualties were civilians, which raises questions about the accuracy of the claim regarding military targets.

The sources reporting these events are generally reputable, with AP News and BBC being well-established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. However, the claim itself appears to stem from a misinterpretation or exaggeration of the actual events as reported by these sources.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The assertion that Israel launched air strikes resulting in the deaths of "at least 20 Iranian military commanders" is not substantiated by credible evidence. Reports confirm the deaths of only three high-ranking military leaders, with a significant number of civilian casualties, contradicting the claim's emphasis on military fatalities.

Sources

1. Israel - The World Factbook
2. Israel – Wikipedia
3. What we know about Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear sites and ...
4. Israel strikes Iran's nuclear sites and kills top generals.
5. Hossein Salami, Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief, killed ...
6. Iran hits Israel with a second wave of missiles | AP News
7. Iranian missiles target Israel in retaliation for earlier strikes
8. Israel country profile - BBC News